ONGC’s Drilling Group is at the core of India’s upstream energy sector, delivering integrated drilling, well services, and well stimulation solutions across diverse geological terrains—from onshore basins to offshore deep and ultra-deep waters.

Drilling Services

ONGC operates approximately 100 drilling rigs and 80 workover rigs. It is among the few companies globally to have drilled more than 500 wells annually six times in last decade, in diverse and challenging areas, reinforcing its position as one of India’s leading oil drilling companies.

With a focus on speed, safety, and innovation, ONGC has:

• 1.  Achieved industry-leading drilling efficiency and cycle speeds
• 2.  Made significant deepwater and ultra-deepwater discoveries
• 3.  Deployed advanced technologies like autonomous downhole steering and real-time remote rig monitoring
• 4.  Continues to modernize its fleet with new-generation high-tech rigs

Sustainability & Efficiency

In line with its environmental commitment, ONGC implemented Zero Liquid Discharge (ZLD) in onshore drilling for exploratory wells, ensuring no off-site wastewater discharge. Energy-efficient DGB kits deployed at Assam Asset rigs also resulted in significant fuel savings and cost reduction.

Well Services

ONGC’s Well Services is a key driver of energy security, specializing in well completion, testing, workover, and stimulation. With over 1,800 skilled professionals, the group delivers safe and efficient services that enhance productivity in both mature and new fields.

It operates a fleet of about 80 workover rigs, carrying out more than 2,200 workover jobs annually. These operations restore and sustain production through water shut-off, zone transfer, casing repair, sand control, and artificial lift installations.

To stay ahead, it has introduced next-generation technologies such as Plasma Pulse, Radial Drilling, Cyclic Steam Stimulation, Fishbones and CROSS-FIRE, dual zone testing, and lightweight proppant fracturing. Along with 10 Advanced Hydraulic Workover Rigs (AHWRs), these innovations strengthen ONGC’s commitment to safe, efficient, and sustainable energy.

Well Stimulation

Well Stimulation is a process used in oil and gas extraction to improve the flow of hydrocarbons (oil or natural gas) from a reservoir into a wellbore. It is typically used when a well is not producing at optimal rate due to formation damage, low permeability or other reservoir-related issues. Stimulation treatments include Hydraulic Fracturing, Matrix Acidization, sand control, hot oil circulation, Coil Tubing and Nitrogen applications, Solvent treatments etc. These processes are technology intensive and require meticulous planning, seamless co-ordination among involved teams from multidisciplinary areas of oil and gas exploration.

ONGC executes over 12,000 stimulation jobs every year in different onshore and offshore fields consisting of Sandstone, Limestone and un-conventional reservoirs. ONGC has total 9 WSS Bases in various locations across the country.  For executing various stimulation jobs ONGC owns 149 onshore stimulation units, 01 offshore stimulation Vessel, 3 chartered offshore stimulation vessels and various job contracts to cater the requirement.

ONGC possesses state-of-the-art laboratory facilities for various studies related to well stimulation fluids, proppants etc. ONGC also possesses world class software for designing and optimizing the Hyrdo-fracturing, sand control and other stimulation jobs.

Over the period, there has been a significant improvement in terms of development of simulation fluids for hydrofracturing, acidization and stimulation jobs in sandstone and limestone reservoirs such as fracturing fluid for high temperature reservoirs, fracturing fluid customized using ETP water, retarded acid system, self-diverted acid systems, foamed acid system etc.

Technology & Innovation

Through the Institute of Drilling Technology (IDT), ONGC is leading the digital transformation of drilling with innovations like:

• 1.  Drill Sim 6000 – a world-class simulator for real-world rig training
• 2.  Digital Well Program (DWP) – for streamlined well planning
• 3.  Field trials of Drilling Belief Analytics and trajectory optimization tools

ONGC’s Drilling Group combines field expertise with cutting-edge technology to drive deeper, safer, and smarter energy exploration—fueling India’s growth story.