New Delhi: Oil and Natural Gas Corporation Limited (ONGC) has struck gas at its deepwater well MN-DW18-1-H-D in the Mahanadi Offshore Basin, off the Odisha coast, marking a significant milestone in the company’s deepwater exploration programme.
The discovery was made on September 18, 2026, after the well was perforated following evaluation of subsurface data. The well is currently flowing gas at an encouraging rate and has maintained healthy reservoir pressure.
The discovery has been made under the Government of India’s Samudra Manthan initiative, which aims to accelerate exploration and development of offshore hydrocarbon resources.
ONGC Strikes Gas at 1,441–1,452 Metre Interval
The deepwater well MN-DW18-1-H-D, also referred to as MDW-28, was drilled to a target depth of 1,623 metres.
Gas was encountered in the following interval:
- Gas-bearing interval: 1,441–1,452 metres
- Target depth of well: 1,623 metres
- Location: Mahanadi Offshore Basin, off Odisha
- Distance from coast: Approximately 43 km from Konark
- Gas strike: September 18, 2026
Following the evaluation of subsurface data, the well was perforated on September 18. It has subsequently demonstrated encouraging gas flow along with sustained reservoir pressure.
First Well of ONGC’s Current Mahanadi Deepwater Campaign
MDW-28 is the maiden well of ONGC’s current deepwater campaign in the Mahanadi Basin.
The well was spudded on July 25, 2026, by Hardeep Singh Puri, Minister of Petroleum and Natural Gas. The campaign is aligned with the Government’s Samudra Manthan initiative to explore India’s offshore hydrocarbon potential.
The location of the discovery, approximately 43 km off Konark, is relatively close to the Odisha coast. According to ONGC, this proximity could provide potential for early monetisation, subject to further appraisal and commercial evaluation.
Well Shows Encouraging Gas Flow and Reservoir Pressure
The well has been flowing gas for the last three days with encouraging flow performance and healthy reservoir pressure.
ONGC said the results strengthen its deepwater exploration programme and contribute to efforts to expand India’s indigenous hydrocarbon resource base.
ONGC Leadership Visits Drillship
Senior ONGC officials visited the drillship involved in the drilling campaign and interacted with the crew.
On August 27, 2026, ONGC Chairman and CEO Arun Kumar Singh, Director (Technology & Field Services) Vikram Saxena, and Director (Exploration) O. P. Sinha visited the drillship Platinum Explorer and interacted with the team engaged in the drilling operations.
The visit provided an opportunity for the leadership to review the ongoing deepwater campaign and encourage the personnel involved in the exploration activities.
Discovery Could Support Future Development Through Shared Facilities
ONGC said the latest discovery, along with other discoveries in the area, could potentially be developed through shared facilities enabled by the PNG Rules, 2025.Such an approach could support the development and monetisation of deepwater resources, subject to the necessary technical, appraisal, regulatory and commercial assessments.
ONGC to Continue Deep and Ultra-Deepwater Exploration
The gas discovery adds to ONGC’s ongoing efforts to explore India’s deepwater and ultra-deepwater frontiers.
The company has said it will continue pursuing exploration opportunities in deeper offshore areas as part of its efforts to strengthen India’s domestic hydrocarbon resource base.
Key objectives of the programme include:
- Expanding exploration into deep and ultra-deepwater areas
- Identifying new domestic hydrocarbon resources
- Supporting India’s long-term energy security
- Accelerating the potential development of offshore discoveries
- Strengthening indigenous oil and gas production
The Mahanadi Basin discovery therefore represents another step in India’s efforts to explore its offshore energy resources and reduce dependence on imported hydrocarbons.
Samudra Manthan Initiative and India’s Energy Security
The Mahanadi deepwater campaign is aligned with the Government’s Samudra Manthan initiative, which focuses on expanding exploration and development of offshore hydrocarbon resources.
With India’s energy demand continuing to grow, domestic exploration of oil and natural gas resources remains an important component of the country’s broader energy strategy. The latest gas strike demonstrates the potential of India’s offshore basins and provides another opportunity to assess resources in the Mahanadi region.
About ONGC
Oil and Natural Gas Corporation Limited (ONGC) is India’s largest exploration and production company and a Maharatna public sector enterprise under the Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas, Government of India. ONGC is engaged in the exploration and production of crude oil and natural gas across onshore and offshore areas and continues to expand its activities into deepwater and ultra-deepwater frontiers.
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