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In response to a question raised in the Rajya Sabha on the subject of Oil and gas exploration in Rajasthan for 17.12.2013, the Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas has shared data provided to it by OMCs.  

The DGH has stated that as far as ONGC is concerned, it is carrying out hydrocarbon exploration in Jaisalmer and part of Vindhyan Basins falling in the state of Rajasthan. ONGC, as on 01.10.2013, holds two NELP blocks (VN-ONN-2004/1 & VN-ONN-2004/2) awarded dining NELP-VI bidding round, which covers parts of Chittorgarh, Kota, Bundi, Bhilwara, Jhalawar and Baran districts. ONGC is also having 5 PML blocks namely Manehera Tibba, Bakriwala, Ghotaru Ext-I & Chinnewala Tibba and South. Khartar  Part A&B falling in Jaisalmer basin in the district of Jaisalmer. Besides these, ONGC is having PI in one NELP block RJ-ONN-2005/3 (operated by GSPC) awarded under NELP-VII round. ONGC has also PI in two pre-NELP blocks viz., RJ-ON-90/1 falling in Bamier district (CEIL-operator) and RJ-ON-6 block(Focus Energy- Operator) falling in Jaisalmer basin.

ONGC has made 8 (7 new prospects & 1 new pool) discoveries of gas in Jaisalmer Basin falling in Jaisalmer district, Rajasthan. These discoveries have been made in Manhera Tibba (1967),  Ghotam (1983), Kharatar (1990),  Bakhri  Tibba (1990)., Bankia (1990).. Sadewala (1997) and Chkmewala Tibba (2003). Chinnewala Tibba is the  largest  discovered Gas field till  date and Feasibility Report for its development is in progress. So far, 5.38 BCM of In-Place Gas Volume & 2.61 BCM of Ultimate Gas Reserves have been established by ONGC in its acreages in Jaisalmer Basin as on 01 .04.2013.

Field-wise quantities are given in the table below.

In one Pre-NELP block, RJ-ON-90/1 in Barmcr-Sanchor Basin of Rajasthan, ONGC has 30 per cent PI with M/s Cairn Energy India Pvt Ltd. as Operator. Oil reserves have been established in this block and the Oil production has started in August, 2009. 

Material for supplementary:
Rajasthan State falls in the north-western part of India and covers an area of 3,42,214 Sq.Km. Four sedimentary basins, namely, Jaisalmer, Banner, Bikaner-Nagaur and Vindhayan (Chainbal Valley) are located in the state. South-eastern port of the state of Rajasthan encompasses Chambal Valley part of the Vindhyari Basin where sediments of Proterozoic to Early Paleozoic age are deposited. The basin extends eastward to the neighboring state of Madhya Pradesh.

ONGC activities were mainly concentrated in Jaisalmer basin only Upto the X- Plan period, which has an area of 14,000 Sq .Km. However, starting from the year 2008, ONGC initiated activities in the Chambal Valley part of Vindhyan basin also.

Currently, ONGC is operating in two separate basins namely Jaisalmer basin and Vindhyan basin in the state of Rajasthan. In Jaisalmer basin, presently exploration and development activity is being carried out in five ML blocks namely Manhera Tibba, Bakriwala, Ghotatu Ext-I and Chinnewala Tibba and South Khartar. Further, at present ONGC is operating two NELP blocks (VN-QNN-2004/1 & VN-ONN-2004/2) in Vindhyan basin falling in Rajasthan. These NELP blocks cover parts of Kota, Bundi, Bhilwara, Chittorgarh, Baran and Jhalawar districts. Till date, three wells namely, Palaita-l (VN-ONN-2003/l), Chechat-l (VN-ONN-2004/1 and Suket-1 (VN-ONN-2004/2) have been drilled during 2012-13.

Besides these, ONGC also has PI in one NELP block, RJ-ONN-2005/3 (operated by GSPC) awarded under NELP-VII round. One NELP block, VN-ONN-2003/l has been, relinquished alter completing the work-commitment in the block, ONGC has PI in two pre-NELP blocks viz., RJ-QN-9Q/1 falling in Banner District where M/s CEIL is the operator and RJ-ON-6 falling in Jaisalmer Basin where M/S Focus Energy is the operator of the block. ONGC is also having 5 PML blocks in the State.

As on 01.10.2013, ONGC has acquired a total of 23256 GLK of 2D and 1428 SK of 3D seismic data and also drilled 79 exploratory wells in the state of Rajasthan. A total 27 wells were proved to be hydrocarbon bearing by ONGC, which includes 8 gas discoveries (7 new prospects & 1 new pool) in areas of Jaisalmer Basin failing in Jaisahner district, Rajasthan. These discoveries have been made in Manhera Tibba (1967), Ghotam (1983), Kharatar (1990), Bakhri Tibba (1990), Bankia (1990), Sadewala 0997) and Chinnewala Tibba (2Q03).Chinnewala Tibba is the largest discovered Gas field till date and Feasibility Report for its development is in progress. So far, 5.38 BCM of In-Place Gas Volume & 2.61 BCM of Ultimate Gas Reserves have been established by ONGC as on 01. 04,2013. ONGC has made discoveries of gas only. However, oil has been discovered in RJ-ON-9D/1 Pre-NELP block by M/S CAIRN where ONGC has participating interest

The XII Plan program in the state of Rajasthan includes acquisition of 150 Sq.Km of 3D seismic data and drilling of 9 exploratory wells in Rajasthan State ( 7 in Jaisalmer and 2 in Vindhyan Basin). During XII Plant period as on 01.10.2013,100 GLK 2D and 6 SKM 3D seismic data has been acquired in two NELP blocks of Frontier basin, Rajasthan. 36 SKM 3D seismic data was also acquired in Soutk-Kharatar PML area in Jaisalmer Basin, ONGC completed drilling of three exploratory wells, i.e., Palaita-1 (NELP block VN-ONN-2003/1), Chechat-1 (NELP block VN-ONN-2004/1) and Suket-1 in the NELP block VN-ONN-2004/2. All the three wells are proved to be dry.

During 2013-14, ONGC has planned to acquire a total of 30 SK of 3D seismic data and to drill 2 exploratory wells in the state. Against these targets(as on 01.10.2013), ONGC has acquired a total of 31 Sq.Km of 3D seismic data.

Source: SNP Infra Research