Introduction
Founded as Research & Training Institute (RTI) in 1962 to provide geo-scientific support to the exploratory efforts of India's National Oil Company, ONGC, the Institute was re-christened as Keshava Deva Malaviya Institute of Petroleum Exploration (KDMIPE) on 19th December 1981 in the memory of the founding father of Indian Petroleum industry - Late Shri Keshava Deva Malaviya.
The Institute, having highly experienced geo- scientists and technical officers, is the nodal agency for multidisciplinary synergistic basin analysis and domain specific research in hydrocarbon exploration. Equipped with state-of- the-art facilities, software and cutting-edge technologies, the Institute caters to the exploration needs of all the petroliferous basins which are currently under active exploration in India as well as overseas besides scouting the opportunity in Frontiers through R&D approach.
KDMIPE also provides consultancy services in areas of geosciences in general and exploration specifics to national and international oil companies.
Capabilities
The major functional domains of the institute are as under:
- Basin Analysis.
- Petroleum System Modelling.
- Structural Modelling.
- Sequence Stratigraphy.
- Petroleum Economics.
- Resource Assessment.
- Sedimentology.
- Biostratigraphy.
- Geochronology.
- Remote Sensing and Geomatics Organofacies Characterization.
- Reservoir Fluid Finger Printing and Migration Modelling.
- Inorganic Geochemistry.
- Geochemical and Microbial Surface Prospecting.
- Bio-Energy.
- Multi-mineral Petrophysical Modelling.
- NMR Spectroscopic Analysis.
- Geomechanical Analysis.
- Non-Seismic Geophysical Techniques.
- Productivity Enhancement.
- Reservoir Performance Analysis.
- Gas Hydrates.
- Unconventional Resources (Coal Bed Methane, Shale Gas, Geothermal Energy, Natural Hydrogen).
- Carbon Capture Utilization & Storage (CCUS) laboratory.
Highlights of FY 2024-25
During 2024-25, 88 projects were completed, including 7 that were unscheduled. Additionally, 4 projects (including 2 unscheduled) have been carried forward to 2025–26.
Significant Projects
- Structural modelling along selected regional lines in offshore part of AP&T sub-basin, Cauvery Basin
- Hydrocarbon prospectivity analysis of Palaeogene and Neogene sequences through Sequence Stratigraphic approach in Mahanadi Basin
- Re-evaluation of hydrocarbon prospectivity of Miocene- Pliocene Plays in growth fault-Toe Thrust set up in KG Offshore
- Evaluation of synrift play potential in Kavitam Low (East Godavari sub-Basin) in onland part of KG-PG Basin
- 3D Petroleum System Modelling of Eastern Homocline area, Western Offshore Basin
- Prospectivity analysis of Basement play of Heera field for Up-gradation of contingent resources and exploitation of proved reserves
- Space-based methane emission monitoring over Pan-India ONGC Installations.
- Geological and Geotechnical studies of railway tunnel between Rishikesh and Karnaprayag, Uttrakhand.
- Bio-hydrogen generation through fermentation using selected anaerobic micro-organisms: A Feasibility Study
- Study of Natural gas reservoirs for CO2 component in Western Offshore Basin
- Geochemical modelling of CO2 dissolution - The effect on Brine composition
- Influence of CO2 flooding on the petrophysical and geochemical properties of Basement cores of the Mumbai offshore
- Study of regional variations of isotopic signatures of natural gases from Western Offshore Basin
- Gravity & Magnetic modelling in offshore areas of Kerala and Konkan sub-basins.
- Study of paleoenvironment and geological events in Tertiary Period through fingerprinting of carbon and oxygen isotopes in sediments in selected wells of West Coast Margin and its correlation with biostratigraphy
- Correlation of source sequences within stratigraphic framework with generated hydrocarbon in Tapti-Daman Block
- Surface Geochemical and Geomicrobial Surveys in parts of Karewa Basin
- A compendium on kinetic distribution in Indian sedimentary basins
- Microfacies and Palynological studies of Clastics of Paleocene-Late Oligocene age, Mumbai High, East and South of Mumbai High Area, Mumbai Offshore Basin
- Paleobathymetric reconstruction using multifossil biostratigraphic studies of Key wells (4 nos.) of Mahanadi Basin
- Determination of Petrophysical parameters and NMR T2 cut-off on acquired cores of S1 in Mumbai High Field and re-processing of well logs using core derived parameters
- Core based NMR studies on the available cores of Heera and Ratna wells.
Collaborative projects/Joint Research projects/ MOUs
- Project titled ‘Utilization of Earth Observation Derived Information for Hydrocarbon Exploration’ with National Remote Sensing Centre’ (NRSC)/ ISRO, Hyderabad.
- Project titled ‘Correlation of Vindhyan in Son and Chambal valleys by using High-resolution Biostratigraphy, Chemostratigraphy, Palaeoredox reconstruction, Palaeoenvironment and Paleogeography’ with Birbal Sahni Institute of Paleosciences (BSIP).
- Project titled “Plate tectonic evolution of the Indian Plate with emphasis on the north western continental margin encompassing onland and offshore basins and its implication on hydrocarbon proclivity” with Council of Scientific and Industrial Research-National Institute of Oceanography (CSIR-NIO) Dona Paula, Goa.
- Project titled “High-resolution sequence stratigraphic interpretations of Cretaceous succession of Jaisalmer Basin and its implication for reservoir characterization” with ONGC, IIT Bombay, BPRL and OIL under CoEOGE.
- Project titled “Exploration & Development of Manuguru Geothermal Field in Godavari Graben, Pranhita-Godavari (PG) Basin Telangana State” with Renewable Energy Development Corporation Ltd. (TGREDCO) and Singareni Collieries Company Limited (SCCL), Telangana.
- Project titled “Investigation of flow deformation attributes of gas hydrates bearing sediments from Krishna Godavari Basin, India” with ONGC and IIT-Bombay under CoEOGE
Technology Induction/Absorption
- CHNS Analyser: facilitates elemental analysis (ultimate analysis) of coal, kerogen, biomass, and liquid fuels, including naphtha, biodiesel, and crude oil constituents, with respect to Carbon, Hydrogen, Nitrogen, and Sulphur. The atomic H/C and O/C ratios are essential for classifying kerogen types (I, II, III), which are crucial for predicting oil versus gas generation. In addition to coal and kerogen characterization, the device has significant applications in the study of biomass, liquid fuels, naphtha, biodiesel, cement, and fertilizer industries.
- UV-Raman Spectrometer: used for carrying out paleoenvironment and micro thermometric studies in fluid inclusions. This is a unique centralized facility, which, a first in ONGC, enables reconstructing the geological history and determination of the composition or types of HC-bearing inclusions is critical for identifying the types, maturity and origin of oil.
- Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (FT-IR): It is expected to help identify chemical structures and monitor quality, degradation, and contaminants in crude oil, fuels, and related materials.
- Inductively Coupled Plasma Optical Emission Spectrometry (ICP-OES): The instrument is expected to enable precise trace metal analysis in crude oil, water, rocks, and fuels, supporting exploration, refining, environmental monitoring, and quality control in the oil industry.
- Gravimetric Sorption Analyzer (GSA): As part of ONGC’s evolving focus on unconventional resources, the installation of the GSA marks a significant milestone. This is the first GSA installation in India dedicated to analyzing adsorption isotherms in natural materials such as coal and shale. Using Magnetic Suspension Balance, it measures gas adsorption (H₂, CH₄, CO₂, etc.) across -196°C to 500°C and up to 170 ksc. Applications include gas sorption, hydrogen storage, CO₂ capture, and Enhanced Coal Bed Methane (ECBM) studies.
- 2D-Chromatography-Time Of Flight Mass Spectrometer (2D-GC-TOF-MS): expected to revolutionize the biomarker characterization process.
Papers Published / Presented
The institute published/presented 48 technical papers in national and international journals in 2024-25.
IPRs / Patents / Copyrights / Trademarks
The institute holds 18 patents and 5 copyrights as on 31st March 2025. The following are the details for FY 2024-25:
Patents obtained: 04
- Granted Patent no. - 544744 dated 11-07-2024 Indian Patent application no. - 201911046168 dated 13-11-2019. Title: - Autoclave apparatus for investigating visualization and ultrasonic characterization of gas hydrates.
- Granted Patent no: - 548420 dated 22-08-2024, Indian Patent application no: - 202111033091 dated 09-06-2022. Title: - A method for identifying Hydrocarbon Bearing Zones in Basement Reservoirs
- Granted Patent no: - 553400 dated 29-10-2024, Indian Patent application no: - 201811033813 dated 07-09-2018. Title: - A method for characterizing low resistivity pay zones
- Granted Patent no: - 553467 dated 29-10-2024, Indian Patent application no: - 202311007507 dated 06-02-2023. Title: - A method for simultaneous isolation of benzocarbazoles and benzo[b]naphthothiophenes and simultaneous identification thereof
Patents Filed: 01
- Method for selecting a site for carbon dioxide sequestration.
Copyright filed: 01
- GM Package.
