ONGC hydrocarbon developments in Indian basins

The Oil and Natural Gas Corporation (ONGC) has achieved significant hydrocarbon milestones in Indian offshore basins.

In late August 2026, ONGC commenced commercial crude oil production in the Bengal Basin at Ashoknagar. Following the development of well AS-1Z, the company began dispatching light, high-quality crude oil to the Haldia Refinery. Officials indicated that reserves in the area may exceed initial expectations, with plans to drill additional wells to expand capacity.

By late September 2026, ONGC expanded its successes with the discovery of natural gas in the Mahanadi Offshore Basin. The discovery occurred at the MN-DW18-1-H-D deepwater well, located approximately 43km off the coast of Konark, Odisha. This find, part of the ‘Samudra Manthan’ campaign, was made using the Platinum Explorer drillship, which encountered a gas-bearing zone between 1,441 and 1,452 metres.

ONGC reported that the well has been flowing gas with “encouraging flow and reservoir pressure” for several days. While the discovery is a milestone for India’s energy security, the company stated that commercial viability has not yet been established. Further appraisal drilling and technical evaluations are required to determine reservoir size and recoverable resources. The proximity of the find to the coast may facilitate faster monetization through shared infrastructure under the Petroleum and Natural Gas Rules, 2025.