https://indianmasterminds.com

ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT

ONGC Discovers Four Oil Fields in Ashokenagar, Awaits Mining Lease Approval from West Bengal Govt

The crude oil discovered is of high quality, with an API gravity of 40-41 degrees, similar to Bombay High and Brent Crude.
Indian Masterminds Stories

Oil and Natural Gas Corporation (ONGC) has made four additional oil discoveries in Ashokenagar, West Bengal, but is still awaiting a petroleum mining lease (PML) from the state government to commence development, Oil Minister Hardeep Singh Puri informed the Lok Sabha on Thursday.

First Discovery and Current Progress

ONGC’s first discovery in Ashokenagar was notified on September 24, 2018, after decades of exploration in the Bengal sedimentary basin. The crude oil discovered is of high quality, with an API gravity of 40-41 degrees, similar to Bombay High and Brent Crude.

Since then, ONGC has identified hydrocarbons in four additional wells — Ashokenagar-2, Kankpul-1, Bhurkunda-1, and Ranaghat-2 — expanding the hydrocarbon potential in the region.

Pending Mining Lease

Despite these successes, ONGC has been unable to implement the Early Development Plan (EDP) for its first discovery due to delays in PML approval from the West Bengal government. ONGC applied for the lease on September 10, 2020, and the central government recommended its approval the following month.

“The grant of PML is still awaited, which has delayed production efforts,” the minister said.

Integrated Development Plan

ONGC has proposed an Integrated Field Development Plan (FDP) covering 99.06 square kilometers, incorporating all four discoveries and the initial 5.88 square kilometers from the EDP area. The Government of India approved this plan on July 10, 2024.

Efforts to Expedite Approval

The Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas has repeatedly pursued the matter with the West Bengal government, with letters sent in 2020, 2023, and 2024. The issue was also raised during the Eastern Zonal Council meeting in July 2024 in Ranchi.

“The power to grant PML lies with the state government, and the central government, along with ONGC, is consistently urging for its approval,” Puri said.

The discoveries hold significant potential to boost domestic oil production, but further progress hinges on timely approval of the mining lease by the West Bengal government.


Indian Masterminds Stories
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
Related Stories
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
NEWS
Bruhat Bengaluru Mahanagara Palike
Karnataka Govt Restructures Bengaluru Civic Setup; IAS, KAS Officers Assigned to GBA & 5 New Corporations
MP CM Mohan Yadav Morena Industry
Chambal Ravines to Renewable Revolution: CM Yadav Lays Foundation for ₹12,500 Cr Industrial Boost in Morena
shahdol-village Footballers MP
Shahdol Footballers to Train in Germany; PM Modi Highlights Madhya Pradesh’s Sporting Revolution
NeGD
Digital India Milestone: NeGD Enables Nationwide Integration of 1,938 e-Services via DigiLocker & e-District Platforms
Tamil Nadu Police: Senior IPS Officer G Venkatraman
IPS G. Venkataraman Appointed Acting DGP of Tamil Nadu Amid Deviation from SC Guidelines, Following Shankar Jiwal’s Retirement
MP News
MP: CM Yadav Unveils Rs. 10 Crore Development Blueprint for Chhatarpur; Stadiums, Medical College Boost, and Major Infra Push Announced
Yogi Government
UP to Introduce India’s First 'Ease of Doing Business Bill 2025', Yogi Government To Decriminalize 99% Industrial Laws
Madhya-Pradesh-State-IAS
Major IAS Transfers Expected in Madhya Pradesh After Chief Secy Anurag Jain's Extension, Ujjain & Indore Expecting Bureaucratic Overhaul
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
Videos
IPS Mukesh Kumar Bhamoo
Managing Elections, Communal Tensions, and Public Safety – Meet IPS Mukesh Kumar Bhamoo | Video Interview
WhatsApp Image 2025-08-25 at 13.56
Operation Hunt: IPS Dr. Karanraj Vaghela’s Mission to Nab Valsad’s Most Wanted
Dr
Resisted Flawed Schemes, Transferred Thrice In Three Months, Found Solace In Writing
ADVERTISEMENT
UPSC Stories
IAS Minnu P M
“Lazy, Sleepy, Yet Determined”: Minnu P M’s Honest Take on Cracking UPSC
Minnu PM, once a clerk in Kerala Police, cleared UPSC with AIR 150 after five years of struggle. Her...
IPS Ashish Tiwari
From IIT and Investment Banking to Public Service, Meet IPS Ashish Tiwari 
Ashish Tiwari, IIT graduate and former investment banker, chose public service over global finance. As...
WhatsApp Image 2025-08-12 at 7.27
First Attempt IRS, Fourth Attempt IPS: The Relentless Pursuit of Jitendra Kumar Yadav Who Cracked UPSC 3 Times
IPS Yadav is originally from Chhattisgarh. He was first selected for the IRS through UPSC and later for...
Social Media
Masahiro Hara
From Go Board to Global Use, How QR Codes Changed the World: IRAS Officer Ananth Rupanagudi Spotlights Masahiro Hara’s Vision
IRAS officer Ananth Rupanagudi shared a video on Masahiro Hara, the inventor of QR codes, highlighting...
IFS Susanta Nanda Video
A Mother’s Duty: Tigress Watches Over Cubs Splashing in Waterhole — Heartwarming Video Shared By Retd. IFS Officer Susanta Nanda
A tender wildlife video shared by Retd. IFS officer Susanta Nanda shows a tigress keeping watch over...
Mohanmala
Kaziranga Mourns: Beloved Elephant Mohanmala Passes Away After Five Decades of Service
Kaziranga National Park mourns the loss of Mohanmala, a beloved elephant who served over 50 years as...
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
Latest
Bruhat Bengaluru Mahanagara Palike
Karnataka Govt Restructures Bengaluru Civic Setup; IAS, KAS Officers Assigned to GBA & 5 New Corporations
MP CM Mohan Yadav Morena Industry
Chambal Ravines to Renewable Revolution: CM Yadav Lays Foundation for ₹12,500 Cr Industrial Boost in Morena
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
Videos
IPS Mukesh Kumar Bhamoo
WhatsApp Image 2025-08-25 at 13.56
Dr
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT