NEW DELHI — Oil and Natural Gas Corporation (ONGC) has achieved a major deepwater milestone after striking natural gas in the Mahanadi Offshore Basin, 43 kilometers off the coast of Konark, Odisha.
The successful strike occurred at well MN-DW18-1-H-D, the inaugural deepwater well drilled under ONGC’s Samudra Manthan exploration campaign. Sustained gas flow and strong reservoir pressures have been reported since September 18, 2026.
Technical Metrics & Operational Context
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Well Specifications: Target depth reached 1,623 meters, with the primary gas-bearing interval discovered between 1,441 and 1,452 meters.
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Strategic Location: Positioned 43 km off the Konark coastline, enabling options for rapid commercialization and appraisal.
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Regulatory Synergy: Intended to leverage shared processing facilities alongside adjacent discoveries under the framework of the Petroleum and Natural Gas (PNG) Rules, 2025.
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Campaign Milestones: Drilled using the specialized drillship Platinum Explorer following initial spudding on July 25, 2026.
