Rajasthan’s Mangala oilfield sees rise in production with redevelopment efforts

JAISALMER:Rajasthan’s Mangala oilfield sees rise in production with redevelopment efforts Against the backdrop of heightened geopolitical uncertainty and fluctuating global oil prices, the Mangala oilfield in Barmer has recorded an increase of nearly 2,000 barrels per day (bpd) in crude oil production, driven by focused redevelopment efforts at the mature onshore asset.

The rise in output is significant as India continues to import nearly 90 per cent of its crude oil requirements, keeping the focus on boosting domestic production.

Operated by Cairn Oil & Gas, part of Vedanta Ltd, Mangala is India’s largest onshore oil discovery. It was discovered in 2004, with production beginning in 2009.

Company sources said the field played a key role in establishing Rajasthan as a major crude oil-producing state. It witnessed rapid development and strong output growth in the late 2000s, earning a reputation as one of the most productive oilfields in the Thar region.

Like most ageing reservoirs, Mangala later entered a phase of natural decline. To manage this and sustain output, Cairn invested in improving recovery from existing reservoirs through advanced subsurface studies and engineering-led interventions.

These efforts included the use of enhanced oil recovery (EOR) techniques such as polymer injection and alkaline-surfactant-polymer (ASP) flooding, aimed at extracting trapped hydrocarbons from complex geological formations and improving overall recovery.

Sources said the production increase was achieved through redevelopment activities aimed at unlocking bypassed oil. “One of the redeveloped wells has delivered initial production of nearly 2,000 barrels per day. The redevelopment involved sidetracking — a technique that re-enters and redirects existing wells instead of drilling new ones — allowing operators to access remaining oil pockets while optimising costs and minimising surface impact,” a source said.

“Working through multiple rock layers in a delicate operation, technical teams aimed to reach pockets of untapped hydrocarbons. Every decision, from trajectory design to drilling parameters, carried significance,” a technical expert involved in the project said.

“In a field long considered mature, this is more than just a technical success; it is a reminder that innovation can breathe new life into even the most seasoned reservoirs.”

Over the past two decades, Cairn’s oil and gas operations have played an important role in Rajasthan’s economy. Hydrocarbon production from Mangala and other fields has supported industrial activity, strengthened infrastructure, generated local employment, and contributed steady revenue to the state through royalties and taxes.

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