Oil India Ltd (OIL) has reported a significant breakthrough with the discovery of natural gas in the Andaman Shallow Offshore Block, marking the first hydrocarbon find in the region. The discovery was made in the Vijayapuram-2 exploratory well under the Open Acreage Licensing Policy (OALP).
Preliminary tests of the gas samples revealed 87% methane content, indicating strong commercial viability subject to further appraisal. The offshore block lies 9.20 nautical miles (17 km) off the Andaman east coast, strategically placing it within India’s frontier exploration zones.
This development is of critical importance for India’s energy security, as it offers the potential to reduce import dependence on oil and gas, diversify supply sources, and open new opportunities for offshore exploration in the Bay of Bengal-Andaman basin. It also aligns with India’s larger objective of boosting domestic hydrocarbon output under initiatives like the Hydrocarbon Exploration and Licensing Policy (HELP).
Course Purchase Query 