(a) the total number of blocks sanctioned for the exploration of oil and natural gas in Sunderbans.
(b) The estimated cost and, the names of the companies involved therein; and
(c) The time by which the exploration is likely to be completed?
(a) the total number of blocks sanctioned for the exploration of oil and natural gas in Sunderbans.
(b) The estimated cost and, the names of the companies involved therein; and
(c) The time by which the exploration is likely to be completed?
Minister of State in the Ministry of Petroleum & Natural Gas (Shri Santosh Kumar Gangwar)
(a) to (c): One block, namely WB-ONN-2000/1, covering Sunderbans and adjoining onland area in Bengal Basin, has been awarded to the consortium of Oil & Natural Gas Corporation(ONGC) and Indian Oil Corporation(IOC) under the second round of New Exploration Licensing Policy(NELP-II) for exploration of oil and gas. The Production Sharing Contract (PSC) has been signed on 17.7.2001 and as per the work programme given therein, the expenditure in all the three phases of exploration is estimated to be Rs. 55.67 crores. The work programme under the above contract is for a duration of seven years, divided into three phases with a walk out option at the end of each phase.