ONGC suspends its first major ultra deep oil drilling off Kochi Coast - India News and Travel Times Provides India-centric and other News and Features

The Oil and Natural Gas Corporation (ONGC) has temporarily suspended its first major ultra deep-sea drilling off the Kochi coast on the Kerala - Konkan Basin. This is the first time that ultra-deep explorations are being carried out in the region. A giant rig bought for this purpose, which can drill up to a depth of 6,500 metres has been stopped drilling after reaching the actual depth. The proposed oil drilling, which beard no result was actually for 100 days, but has already taken over 130 days and invested over rupees 400 crores on the project. Most of the preliminary exploratory drilling confirmed the presence of hydro-carbon, carbohydrate and other chemicals. Earlier, according to scientists, geological samples obtained under the sea matched seismic and geo-chemical studies and the chemical study results stand positive for drilling. The corporation was engaged in exploration in the Kerala-Konkan offshore since 1977, and 12 exploratory wells were dug.