As per the policy guidelines notified by Government of India (GoI) for exploration and exploitation of shale gas and oil in India by National Oil Companies (NOCs), ONGC has identified 50 nomination PML (Petroleum Mining Lease) blocks under Phase-I. The exploratory efforts so far have led to the discovery of 65 small-to-medium sized hydrocarbon fields with about 356 million tonnes (oil and oil equivalent gas) of initial in-place on-land reserves. The current production of oil and gas is 750-800 tonnes per day and 2.5-3 million cubic metres of gas, respectively.

• Exploration for assessing the Shale gas/oil prospectivity has been initiated in 4 basins of the country viz., Cambay, KG, Cauvery and A&AA Basins.
• As on 31 March 2017, 22 assessment wells (5 exclusive shale gas in Cambay basin and 17 dual objective wells) in 19 PML blocks have been drilled and required data are being generated/ evaluated for Shale gas/oil assessment.
• During the year, 4 dual objective wells in Cambay basin have been drilled. Laboratory studies of core and cutting samples collected in wells during the current year are in different stages of completion.
• A second zone in well JMSGA (JM#55) (instead of well number field/block may be mentioned) has also been hydro-fractured (HF) and indication of oil was observed during post-HF activation.
• Cumulative oil knocked out till 21 March 2017 was 2.35 m3. The well has been put on Gas Lift Value (GLV) for effective activation. Earlier, the well cumulatively flowed 19 m3 of oil with gas and about 173 m3 of flow back water from first zone.
• ONGC has received an environmental clearance to drill five wells for shale gas and oil in the Krishna-Godavari (KG) basin at an estimated cost of Rs 217 crore. It proposed further exploration of Shale Gas and Oil in the KG basin and was examined by the environment ministry.
• The ministry has given the final environment clearance to ONGC for exploratory drilling of five wells in the KG basin. According to the proposal, ONGC plans to drill wells in the onland blocks in West Godavari, Bantumilli extension, Suryaraopeta, Mahadevapatnam and Mandapeta in Krishna, West Godavari and East Godavari districts to assess the potential of shale.
• About 5-6 acres of land to drill each well will be required and the duration of drilling 90-120 days per well. All these wells will be drilled with water-base mud only, it added.
• Since the KG basin holds significant promise for additional reserve accretion, the petroleum ministry is keen to continue the exploratory activity.