India has confirmed the presence of natural gas in the Andaman basin, marking a major breakthrough in the country’s deepwater exploration efforts and reinforcing long-held beliefs about the basin’s hydrocarbon potential. Union Petroleum and Natural Gas Minister Hardeep Singh Puri called it a ‘significant milestone’ in India’s energy journey. He said it is also a major step toward expanding domestic gas production.
Discovery Made at Sri Vijayapuram Two Well
Puri revealed that explorers found natural gas in the Sri Vijayapuram two well. The well is located about 9.20 nautical miles (17 km) from the east coast of the Andaman Islands. The well sits at a water depth of 295 metres and reaches a target depth of 2,650 metres. “An ocean of energy opportunities opens up in the Andaman Sea,” the minister said, announcing the results of initial production testing between 2,212 and 2,250 metres, which confirmed the presence of natural gas with intermittent flaring.
Gas Composition: 87% Methane
They transported gas samples from the well by ship to Kakinada for analysis. Tests confirmed the gas contains 87% methane, a strong indicator of high-quality natural gas. The discovery validates long-held geological assessments suggesting that the Andaman basin is rich in hydrocarbons. It is similar to other regions along the same belt. The belt stretches from Myanmar in the north to Indonesia in the south.
Key Step in India’s Deepwater Exploration Mission
Puri highlighted that establishing the presence of hydrocarbons in the Andaman basin is a significant step toward unlocking India’s offshore potential. The discovery comes under the framework of the Deepwater Mission announced by Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Independence Day, which aims to drill a large number of deepwater exploration wells across India’s offshore basins. “The size of the gas pool and its commercial viability will be assessed in the coming months,” Puri noted, adding that the findings will shape future exploration strategies and support India’s efforts to fully exploit its hydrocarbon reserves.
Strategic Significance and Global Collaboration
The landmark discovery will bolster India’s collaboration with global deepwater exploration leaders such as Petrobras, BP India, Shell, and ExxonMobil. It will strengthen the country’s technical capabilities and accelerate future exploration projects. Puri emphasized that this natural gas discovery will advance India’s exploration ambitions. He said it marks a significant milestone in the journey through ‘Amrit Kaal’.
As reported by wionnews.com, the breakthrough in the Andaman basin marks a new chapter in India’s quest for energy security. It paves the way for deeper exploration and positions the country as a rising player in the global natural gas landscape.
