Energy boost: OIL strikes gas in Rajasthan's Dandewala

NEW DELHI: State-owned Oil India Limited (OIL) has successfully unlocked a new gas-bearing pay zone in Rajasthan's Dandewala field, with a flow of nearly 25,000 standard cubic metres per day, petroleum and natural gas minister Hardeep Singh Puri said on Saturday.

Congratulating OIL on its technological excellence, Puri said on social media that the discovery by the energy Maharatna would "provide momentum to India's journey towards energy self-sufficiency".

OIL called the discovery, made at a depth of 950 metres, "modest but significant" and said it indicated deliverability and potential of the area.

"This marks the first-ever successful establishment of gas presence in Sanu Formation within Dandewala field, thereby opening up a new play and validating our strategy of revisiting the subsurface potential through focused technical interventions," it said.

The newly discovered gas stands out for its better quality, containing low levels of carbon dioxide, which aligns with the country's push for cleaner fuel alternatives. This discovery not only marks an important advancement for the hydrocarbon sector in western Rajasthan but also solidifies the region's status as a strategic energy hub.

Energy experts are optimistic that the unlocking of the new pay zone will catalyse further exploration and production activities in Rajasthan, which has substantial oil and gas reserves. Industry observers suggest that the latest discovery could open doors to further exploration in adjacent regions of the Jaisalmer basin.