ONGC Strikes Gas in Deepwater Well in Mahanadi Offshore Basin
Gas discovery off Odisha coast opens potential for early monetisation
Oil and Natural Gas Corporation Limited (ONGC) has struck gas in a deepwater well in the Mahanadi Offshore Basin, marking a significant exploration milestone off the Odisha coast.
ONGC struck gas on 18 September 2026 at deepwater well MN-DW18-1-H-D, drilled under the company’s Samudra Manthan initiative. The well was drilled to a target depth of 1,623 metres, with the gas strike recorded in the 1,441–1,452 metre interval.
Located approximately 43 km off Konark, the well is the first well drilled by ONGC in the Mahanadi Basin under the current campaign. Its relatively close proximity to the Odisha coast could offer potential for early monetisation, subject to further appraisal, reservoir assessment and commercial evaluation.
The well was spudded on 25 July 2026 by Petroleum and Natural Gas Minister Hardeep Singh Puri.
Earlier, on 27 August 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 involved in the drilling campaign.
The gas strike adds momentum to ONGC’s efforts to expand exploration and production activity in India’s offshore basins and strengthen the country’s domestic hydrocarbon resource base.
Further appraisal and evaluation will determine the size, quality and commercial viability of the discovery.
