Union Minister Hardeep Singh Puri said Oil India Limited discovered natural gas at the Sri Vijayapuram-3 exploratory well in the Andaman Sea.
The discovery is a key component of India’s efforts to tap domestic hydrocarbon potential and lower the country's reliance on imported energy. This strategic shift aims to strengthen national energy security through increased offshore exploration.
The discovery occurred approximately 15 kilometres [1] off the east coast of the Andaman Islands. Officials said natural gas was present through continuous flaring during the testing phase of the well.
To reach the gas deposits, drilling extended to a depth of more than 1,900 metres [2]. The operation is part of the broader 'Samudra Manthan Mission,' a government initiative designed to explore the untapped potential of India's offshore territories.
Union Minister Hardeep Singh Puri said the find represents a significant step in the mission's goals. The project focuses on identifying and extracting resources from the seabed to support the nation's growing energy demands.
The Sri Vijayapuram-3 well serves as a primary site for this exploration. By targeting these specific offshore blocks, the government hopes to create a sustainable pipeline of domestic gas that can offset the costs, and risks, associated with international energy markets.
“Oil India Limited discovered natural gas at the Sri Vijayapuram-3 exploratory well”
The discovery in the Andaman Sea underscores India's strategic pivot toward aggressive offshore exploration to mitigate the economic burden of energy imports. By leveraging the Samudra Manthan Mission, the government is attempting to transition from a dependent importer to a more self-reliant energy producer, though the ultimate impact will depend on the total volume of recoverable gas and the infrastructure required to transport it to the mainland.
