Hon’ble MoS launching the NSP at Mahanadi Basin (Onland)

Hon’ble Minister of State (Independent Charge) for  Petroleum and Natural Gas Mr. Dharmendra Pradhan, , inaugurated the National  Seismic Program (NSP) at Taranga in Balasore district of  Odisha on 12 October 2016. The Odisha Minister for Steel and Mines Mr. Prafulla Kumar  Mallik, Joint Secretary (MoPNG) Mr. Amar Nath, CMD of ONGC Mr. Dinesh K Sarraf,  Director (Exploration) Mr. A K Dwivedi and other senior officials of Ministry  of P&NG, State Government and ONGC were present on the occasion. The launch  was witnessed by a large number of local population.

The NSP aims to undertake a fresh appraisal in all  sedimentary basins across India, especially where no/scanty data is available,to have better understanding of the hydrocarbon potential of India.

Hon’ble MoS addressing the gathering at the NSP launch

Under this program, ONGC and OIL have been  entrusted to conduct 2D seismic Acquisition, Processing and Interpretation  (API) across India. While ONGC has been assigned to carry out 2D seismic API of  approx. 40,835 Line Kilometer (LKM) in onland part of 26  sedimentary basins in 18 states/ Union Territoryof  India including Odisha's Mahanadi basin,OIL has been assigned to carry out 2D  seismic API of 7408 LKM in the state of Assam, Manipur, Arunachal Pradesh,  Mizoram and Nagaland.National Seismic Program (NSP) for 2D seismic Acquisition,  Processing and Interpretation (API) Project will be completed by March, 2019.

Mahanadi Basin in Odisha has been chosen as the  first location for the roll out of the National Seismic Programme. The 2D  seismic survey of unapprised area in Mahanadi Basin (Onland) would establish  potential of hydrocarbon resources in the state. In the  Mahanadi Basin, Bhadrak-Jajpur area of about 2189 LKM and Chilika Lake area of about  341 LKM have been identified covering primarily Keonjhar, Balasore, Bhadrak,  Jajpur, Kendrapara, Mayurbhanj, Puri, Khurda and Ganjam districts of Odisha. High-resolution 2D seismic acquisition with cutting  edge modern technology is planned in Mahanadi Basin area.  The Acquisition stageis scheduled from October 2016 to June 2018 while  Processing and Interpretation are scheduled from July 2018 to December 2018.

Dignitaries and media persons rise to the ONGC Song

The outcome from the NSP would contribute to better  understanding of the sub-surface with Petroleum Systems across wider geological  ages to explore the hydrocarbon reserves in Odisha. The total investment for the  seismic acquisition in the onland Mahanadi Basin is Rs.79.57 Cr.

“Our government is giving a lot of focus to  hydrocarbon data.”, Shri Pradhan said at the launch of the NSP. As much as 48%  of the Indian sedimentary basin remains unappraised, and there has been no  major finding in new sediments in the last 25 years, he added.

“In addition to the national seismic programme, we are  carrying out a reassessment of hydrocarbon data of existing sedimentary basins.  The third big thing is the single platform where all the data is being brought  together – The National Data Repository (NDR),which we will be  dedicating to the nation very soon”, the Minister said.

ONGC CMD Dinesh K Sarraf addressing the gathering

The minister expressed  confidence that once hydrocarbon potential  of Odisha is established through these initiatives, it would lead to  Exploration & Production (E&P) activities and attract significant  investment to the sector in the State generating employment opportunity and bringing prosperity to the State.

Speaking on the  occasion, Mr Sarraf said that this is a historic day for the people of Odisha  and India as ONGC begins work on the ambitious NSP that will add to the  national repository of hydrocarbon data. He said that hydrocarbon discovery  adds to the value creation of state and in turn benefits its people. Mr. Sarraf  urged the local population to co-operate with ONGC in its efforts to bring the  NSP to a successful fruition. Director (Exploration) Mr A K Dwivedi presented  the vote of thanks.