Oil India discovers gas at third Andaman offshore well

State-owned Oil India Ltd. has confirmed the discovery of natural gas at its third exploratory well in the Andaman offshore basin, marking the second such find in the region and significantly boosting the area's potential as a future hydrocarbon-producing zone. The announcement was made on Friday by Union Petroleum and Natural Gas Minister Hardeep Singh Puri.

The discovery was made at the Sri Vijayapuram-3 well, located approximately 15 kilometers off the east coast of the Andaman Islands in water depths of 355 meters. Initial production testing at a depth exceeding 1,900 meters in the Eocene formation established the presence of natural gas through continuous flaring. Officials reported that after perforation, the well showed immediate pressure buildup and began producing gas, indicating favorable reservoir characteristics.

Oil India is now conducting gas sampling to assess the composition and calorific value of the gas, alongside isotope studies to understand its origins. The company stated that this finding provides further evidence of a functioning petroleum system in the area, suggesting the potential for additional hydrocarbon accumulations.