Ankleshwar: Oil and Natural Gas Corporation (ONGC) has achieved a major breakthrough in India’s clean energy journey by inaugurating the country’s first geothermal pilot project under its innovative “Wells to Watts” initiative. The project, launched at ONGC’s Ankleshwar Asset on April 24, 2026, showcases how legacy oil and gas infrastructure can be repurposed for sustainable power generation.
Turning Abandoned Wells into Renewable Energy
The pilot project converts a non-productive well at the Gandhar Field in Ankleshwar into a continuous source of 450 kW Renewable Energy – Round-The-Clock (RE-RTC) power. This marks a significant step in demonstrating how underutilized hydrocarbon assets can be transformed into low-carbon, reliable energy sources.
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Collaboration with IIT Madras and MNRE
The project has been developed in collaboration with Indian Institute of Technology Madras and is supported by the Ministry of New and Renewable Energy (MNRE). This partnership highlights India’s focus on combining academic expertise with industry capabilities to drive innovation in clean energy.
Experts from IIT Madras provided technical insights into geothermal energy extraction, particularly using abandoned or non-commercial wells—an approach that could be scaled across similar assets nationwide.
Leadership Insights on the Project
Senior ONGC officials emphasized the strategic importance of the initiative:
- Leadership at the Ankleshwar Asset highlighted that the project reflects ONGC’s commitment to innovation-driven sustainability.
- The Head of New Energy at ONGC described the geothermal pilot as a technology demonstrator that could pave the way for similar deployments across mature oil and gas fields.
- Academic experts stressed the scientific viability and long-term potential of geothermal energy in India’s energy mix.
Boost to India’s Clean Energy and Decarbonisation Goals
The geothermal pilot aligns with India’s broader objectives of:
- Enhancing energy security
- Promoting decarbonisation
- Supporting a circular economy
- Advancing the vision of Atmanirbhar Bharat
The project demonstrates a scalable model for integrating renewable energy into existing infrastructure, reducing dependence on fossil fuels while maximizing resource utilization.
A Step Towards a Greener and Resilient Future
With this initiative, ONGC reinforces its position as a forward-looking energy company that is actively diversifying beyond conventional hydrocarbons. The success of this pilot could open new avenues for geothermal energy development across India, especially in aging oil and gas fields.
About ONGC
Oil and Natural Gas Corporation (ONGC) is India’s largest oil and gas exploration and production company. As a Maharatna PSU, ONGC plays a critical role in ensuring the country’s energy security. In recent years, the company has expanded its focus to include renewable energy, innovation, and sustainable development, aligning with India’s transition towards a cleaner energy future.
