ONGC strikes gas in Tripura

Oil and Natural Gas Corporation Limited (ONGC) has struck a new gas well at Sundaribari in South Tripura district, about 125 km from Agartala, according to official sources.

According to officials, preliminary examinations have shown that the low resistivity sand perforated in the 2,164-68 metre interval produced gas at the rate of 160,000 million cubic metre per day.

They said the gas reserve was huge and the new discovery would form a considerable reserve base of hydrocarbon, which would also cater to the needs of supplying gas to the 740 MW gas-based thermal plant at Palatan in South Tripura district.

Agency reports quoting a senior ONGC official said the new gas pool was discovered at Suandalbari structure in southern Tripura. The new gas discovery is expected to open up new avenues and approach for exploration of Stratigraphic Traps in Tripura Fold Belt (TFB) for adding considerable reserve base and enhancement of production potential in future, the report added.

The Sundalbari structure in southern Tripura, located 115 km south of capital Agartala, is one of the 19 structures mapped by the company for exploration.
 
The discovery of new hydrocarbon would go a long way in meeting additional gas requirements for the commissioning of the 740 MW capacity mega power project in south Tripura's Palatana the report said.

ONGC's biggest commercial thermal power project is to be commissioned in south Tripura's Palatana about 60 km south of Tripura with the first unit scheduled to be operational by 2012.