New Delhi: Oil and Natural Gas Corporation (ONGC) has received the Gold Award at the ET Global Awards 2025 under the theme of Sustainable Innovation for its groundbreaking Green Hydrogen initiative. Developed at ONGC’s Mehsana Asset, the project uses microbial electrolysis of produced water—a first-of-its-kind innovation in India—demonstrating a pioneering effort under the Make in India program, led by ONGC JV & BD.
A New Era of Green Hydrogen from Wastewater
Unlike conventional green hydrogen production, which typically consumes large volumes of freshwater, ONGC’s demonstration plant uses produced water – a byproduct of oil production – as the primary feedstock. This not only eliminates the need for freshwater but also treats the effluent, significantly reducing Total Dissolved Solids (TDS), Chemical Oxygen Demand (COD), and oil content in the water.
The facility consumes less than 1 kWh of energy per kilogram of hydrogen, powered entirely by solar energy, and achieves a remarkably low production cost of approximately USD 2 per kg—making it one of the most cost-effective and sustainable hydrogen production systems in the country.
Modular, Digital, and Scalable
The system is modular and scalable, with full integration into ONGC’s OB Nautilus digital platform, allowing for remote real-time monitoring and operational efficiency. This innovation aligns with multiple UN Sustainable Development Goals, including:
- Clean Energy (Goal 7)
- Clean Water and Sanitation (Goal 6)
- Climate Action (Goal 13)
- Responsible Consumption and Production (Goal 12)
Driving India’s Energy Transition
This project marks a major milestone in ONGC’s strategy to lead India’s energy transition by deploying cutting-edge technology, circular economy principles, and innovative clean energy solutions. The company’s rapid transition from R&D to field deployment highlights its capability to deliver real-world impact and reinforces ONGC’s leadership in the emerging Green Hydrogen economy, in line with the National Hydrogen Mission of the Government of India.
ONGC stated that this innovation demonstrates its unwavering commitment to decarbonization, sustainability, and building a future-ready energy portfolio where even industrial waste can be transformed into valuable clean energy.
About ONGC
ONGC is India’s largest government-owned oil and gas exploration and production company. Established on August 14, 1956, ONGC is a Maharatna Public Sector Undertaking (PSU) under the Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas. Headquartered in New Delhi, ONGC is pivotal to India’s energy security and economic growth.
