Underground ONG exploration begins in Puri

Oil India Limited, the second largest Indian-government owned hydrocarbon explorer and producer, has launched the drilling process to explore the underground oil and natural gas at Kushupur area under Gop block in Puri.

According to sources, in the first phase the oil major will dig three smalls ponds and has engaged two JCBs for the digging work.

It is worthwhile to mention here that the Oil India has taken eight-acre land in the area in lease for three years and paid Rs 1 crore as compensation to 37 farmer families who were displaced due to the project.

Last year, an extensive exploratory drilling and surveys were carried out in Puri, Khordha, Cuttack, Jagatsinghpur, Kendrapara, Jajpur, Bhadrak, and Balasore. 

The survey cost Rs 1248 crore. During the survey, oil and natural gas deposits were traced in two places-  Kusupur Mouza and Chitra Mouza under Gop block in Puri.