**ONGC and OIL Launch ₹3,200 Crore Stratigraphic Drilling Campaign in Untapped Offshore Basins**
*By Dwaipayan Roy | September 21, 2025 | 6:23 PM*
State-run oil explorers Oil and Natural Gas Corporation (ONGC) and Oil India Limited (OIL) are preparing to undertake a major stratigraphic drilling campaign valued at ₹3,200 crore. Scheduled to commence early next year, the project targets untapped offshore areas to boost India’s hydrocarbon exploration efforts.
### First Phase: Drilling in Four Key Basins
The initial phase of the campaign will involve drilling four wells across prominent sedimentary basins — Andaman, Mahanadi, Saurashtra, and Bengal. These regions hold significant promise for undiscovered oil and gas resources and are currently underexplored.
### What Is Stratigraphic Drilling?
Stratigraphic drilling, also known as a stratigraphic test well, is an exploratory technique used to analyze underground geological formations. Unlike conventional drilling that seeks immediate resource extraction, this method focuses on building detailed geological profiles. This data is crucial for making informed decisions on future hydrocarbon exploration.
Global energy major BP will extend its technical expertise to ONGC and OIL by helping identify optimal drilling locations and supporting the drilling operations.
### Financial Backing and Government Support
The Indian government has pledged to fully fund this strategic drilling campaign. The ₹3,200 crore budget includes payments to BP for their technical services, reflecting strong governmental commitment to enhancing domestic energy capabilities.
### Importance for India’s Energy Security
India is heavily reliant on oil and gas imports, with nearly 88% of its oil consumption and about half its natural gas demand met through imports. This dependence costs the country approximately $150 billion annually.
In an effort to reduce this import bill and achieve greater energy self-sufficiency, the government has taken significant steps, including slashing ‘no-go’ zones by 99%. This policy shift has unlocked over one million square kilometers of India’s Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) for oil and gas exploration.
### Enhancing Exploration Potential
Further bolstering India’s exploration drive, a Data Center was launched in 2022 at the University of Houston to showcase sedimentary basin data. Additionally, the National Data Repository (NDR) has been upgraded to a cloud-based platform for better data accessibility.
Global energy giants such as ExxonMobil and Chevron have acquired Indian basin data, signaling increased international confidence in India’s vast exploration potential.
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This stratigraphic drilling campaign by ONGC and OIL marks a significant step toward India’s goal of enhancing domestic hydrocarbon production and strengthening its energy security in the coming years.
https://www.newsbytesapp.com/news/business/ongongc-oil-to-begin-deep-sea-stratigraphic-drilling-in-early-2026c/story