ONGC is successfully using new drilling technology in Tripura.

Agartala: ONGC has successfully dug three gas wells in Tripura using new technology, an official of state-owned oil and gas producer said on Sunday.

Tarun Malik, Asset Manager, ONGC Tripura, said at an event in Agartala that the new technology – Managed Pressure Drilling (MPD) has proved to be beneficial in the state as conventional drilling cannot be used in these geographical locations.

“For the first time, MPD-based drilling was successfully carried out in Tripura last year to reach those areas of West Tripura and Sepahijala districts where the traditional drilling system is less,” he said.

Malik added that testing of two wells is still pending.

Earlier, the Oil and Natural Gas Corporation (ONGC) had difficulty in drilling in some places due to different geographical features.

Malik said that ONGC intends to start gas exploration in newly formed areas with the latest technology.

“So far, the Tripura asset is based on gas and who knows if oil could be discovered in the future. But, to date, there is no guarantee of oil discovery. Only time will tell,” he said.

Currently, ONGC supplies about 4.5 million cubic meters of gas per day, compared to its installed capacity of 5 million cubic meters per day.

In Tripura, natural gas is used to generate electricity at only two mega power plants – NEEPCO’s RC Nagar plant and OPTC’s Platana power plant. Demand for gas in the state is low due to lack of industrial use.