ONGC achieves record drilling in 2024–25 with 578 wells

ONGC has made significant progress in controlling the June 12 gas blowout at its Rudrasagar well in Assam. With gas flow rates down and expert support in place, containment efforts continue amid strict safety monitoring and resident evacuations

New Delhi: Government-run Oil and Natural Gas Corporation (ONGC) has drilled 578 wells in the financial year 2024–25 — the highest number in the past 35 years, Union Petroleum Minister Hardeep Singh Puri said on Saturday.

According to the minister, Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s bold decision to lift restrictions on the ‘No Go’ areas has significantly accelerated India’s journey toward energy self-reliance.

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“Under the leadership of Prime Minister Modi, ONGC has given new strength and direction to the exploration of oil and natural gas in India. The company has drilled 578 wells in 2024–25, the highest in 35 years,” Puri posted on X (formerly Twitter).

“Just as a strong foundation is needed to build a structure, strengthening the exploration and production sector is essential for India’s energy self-reliance,” he added.

Last month, ONGC announced new oil and gas discoveries in the Mumbai Offshore hydrocarbon basin, expected to enhance the production of the state-owned upstream major in the near future.

The discoveries — named ‘Suryamani’ and ‘Vajramani’ — were made in blocks awarded under the Open Acreage Licensing Policy (OALP) regime, according to the company’s January–March quarterly results.

In addition to Mumbai Offshore, ONGC also reported another hydrocarbon discovery in the Krishna-Godavari (KG) basin land block during the same quarter. These discoveries offer renewed optimism amid India’s rising dependence on imported hydrocarbons due to ageing domestic fields.

Currently, India meets about 85 per cent of its crude oil needs through imports, making it the world’s third-largest oil importer. Key domestic oil and gas production hubs include Assam, Gujarat, Rajasthan, Mumbai High, and the Krishna Godavari Basin.