ONGC Videsh begins exploratory drilling in Bangladesh
04 Oct 2021
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ONGC Videsh Limited, the overseas arm of Oil and Natural Gas Corporation Limited (ONGC), spudded its first well `Kanchan#1’ in Block SS04 of Bangladesh’s Maheshkhali Island, on 29 September. This exploratory well is planned to be drilled to a depth of 4,200 metres and will be targeting two prospective formations. This well marks the beginning of exploratory drilling in Bangladesh by ONGC Videsh and will be followed by drilling at two more exploratory locations.
ONGC Videsh Ltd, in consortium with Oil India Ltd (OIL), was awarded two shallow offshore Blocks SS-04 and SS-09 in Bangladesh during the Bid Round of 2012. The Production Sharing Contract (PSC) was signed between ONGC Videsh, OIL and Bangladesh Petroleum Exploration & Production Company Limited (BAPEX) in February 2014. ONGC Videsh, with participating interest (PI) of 45 per cent, is the operator with OIL (45 per cent PI) and BAPEX (10 per cent PI) as the other partners. BAPEX is being carried equally by ONGC Videsh and OIL up to commercial discovery stage.
All pre-drilling activities were completed with the rig being on location in late 2019 and spudding was scheduled for March 2020. However, the drilling had to be deferred due to the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic. After the easing of restrictions and resolving the issues owing to deferment of initial plans, in September 2021, the drilling of well commenced on 29 September 2021.
