**ONGC, OIL Eye ₹3,200 Crore Stratigraphic Drilling Campaign: What Is It?**
*By Dwaipayan Roy | Sep 21, 2025, 06:23 PM*
State-run oil explorers Oil and Natural Gas Corporation (ONGC) and Oil India Limited (OIL) are set to embark on a major stratigraphic drilling campaign valued at ₹3,200 crore. The ambitious project is expected to commence early next year and will focus on drilling in untapped offshore areas.
### The First Phase: Drilling Locations
In the initial phase, four wells will be drilled across key sedimentary basins including the Andaman, Mahanadi, Saurashtra, and Bengal basins. These sites are considered promising for uncovering new hydrocarbon reserves.
### What Is Stratigraphic Drilling?
Stratigraphic drilling, also known as a stratigraphic test well, is an exploratory method used to study underground geological formations. Unlike traditional drilling aimed at immediate extraction, this technique helps build detailed geological profiles to guide future hydrocarbon exploration efforts.
Global energy giant BP will provide technical expertise for identifying optimal locations and conducting the drilling operations, enhancing the campaign’s precision and effectiveness.
### Financial Backing and Collaboration
The Indian government has committed to covering the entire cost of the stratigraphic drilling campaign for ONGC and OIL. This ₹3,200 crore budget also includes payments to BP for its specialized services, reflecting a strong government push towards boosting domestic energy exploration.
### Why Does This Matter?
India currently imports nearly 88% of its oil and about half of its natural gas, resulting in an import bill of around $150 billion. Reducing this dependency is critical for the country’s energy security. Stratigraphic drilling plays a significant role in discovering new domestic resources to help meet growing energy demands.
In a landmark move, the government has eliminated 99% of ‘no-go’ zones, unlocking over one million square kilometers of India’s Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) for oil and gas exploration. This expansion dramatically opens new opportunities for resource development.
### Supporting Infrastructure and Global Interest
India’s reserves of sedimentary basin data have gained global attention. In 2022, the country launched a Data Center at the University of Houston showcasing this data and upgraded its National Data Repository (NDR) to a cloud-based platform.
This transparency and data accessibility have attracted international energy majors like ExxonMobil and Chevron, who have acquired Indian basin data, signaling renewed confidence in India’s exploration potential.
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This stratigraphic drilling campaign marks a pivotal step in India’s journey towards greater energy self-reliance and a reduced import burden, backed by advanced technology and international collaboration.
https://www.newsbytesapp.com/news/business/ongongc-oil-to-begin-deep-sea-stratigraphic-drilling-in-early-2026c/story