(a) whether natural gas has been found in the Ganga basin of West Bengal particularly in the Sunderban area;
(b) if so, the details thereof;
(c) whether any exploration work is being carried out by the oil companies; and
(d) if so, the details thereof?
MINISTER OF PETROLEUM & NATURAL GAS AND PANCHAYATI RAJ (SHRI MANI SHANKAR AIYAR)
(a) & (b) Oil & Natural Gas Corporation Ltd. (ONGC) have been exploring the Ganga Basin in West Bengal, including the Sunderbans area. So far these exploration activities have not led to any commercial discovery of hydrocarbons.
(c) & (d) ONGC are currently undertaking exploration in two acreages in Bengal Basin. One on-land block, Contai, was awarded on a nomination basis while another offshore block WB-OSN-2000/1, was awarded under NELP-II. 3D seismic data acquired in Contai PEL is being interpreted. Drilling of the first well is in progress in block WB-OSN-2000/1. As on 1.10.2005 ONGC have acquired 29243 Ground Line Kilometers of 2D & 394.36 sq. kms of 3D seismic data besides drilling 31 wells.