Beneath Bengal's Soil: A Major Hydrocarbon Discovery

The Union Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas has confirmed the discovery of recoverable hydrocarbon reserves equivalent to 0.9 million tonnes of oil at two exploration sites in West Bengal’s North 24 Parganas and Nadia districts.

The finds were made by Oil and Natural Gas Corporation (ONGC) as part of ongoing exploration efforts. In a written reply to BJP MP Samik Bhattacharya in the Rajya Sabha, Union Minister of State Suresh Gopi clarified that no reserves have been discovered at Ashok Nagar, where ONGC is also conducting exploration activities.

The two confirmed sites include Kankpul I in North 24 Parganas and Ranaghat II in Nadia. At Kankpul, drilling reached a depth of 2,730 metres, resulting in a confirmed natural gas discovery, with appraisal activities continuing through October. In Ranaghat, drilling extended to 2,719 metres, also yielding a gas find. Appraisal at this site is expected to continue until 2027.

In addition to these locations, ONGC is expanding exploration activities in South 24 Parganas, Murshidabad, and Burdwan, signaling increased focus on tapping West Bengal’s hydrocarbon potential.

News by Rahul Yelligetti.