ONGC Tripura Asset Targets 4 MMSCMD Gas Production to Meet Rising Demand

AGARTALA: Oil and Natural Gas Corporation (ONGC) Tripura Asset is targeting a record increase in natural gas production of 4 million metric standard cubic meters per day within the next year.

According to an official announcement on Friday, this effort is being taken to meet increasing demand for natural gas in the region.

Currently, ONGC is producing 3.5 MMSCMD of natural gas that supplies three major power-generating companies in Tripura, including the Gomati district-based OTPC plant.

Speaking at a press conference, ONGC Chief General Manager Roopesh Kumar Sharan said, "We are presently producing 3.5 MMSCMD of gas per annum to feed the power plants in Tripura. Our aim is to add more with production to 4 MMSCMD next year."

The ONGC Tripura Asset operates 95 gas-producing wells and normally explores 17 to 18 wells every year for new reserves. Sharan added that the gas exploration success rate in the northeast is around 50%, the same as the national average. To increase production, seven drilling rigs have been deployed for gas exploration.

He addressed the apprehensions regarding the reduced gas supply to the OTPC-operated Palatana gas-based power plant and assured that the gas supply to the 726 MW power plant has been increased. However, owing to certain operational reasons, the power generation at the plant has come down from 726 MW to 400 MW. Nonetheless, 100 MW of electricity is still being exported to Bangladesh from the facility.

He further updated us about the progress of Indra Dhanush Gas Grid (IGG) Ltd to enhance gas connectivity in the northeastern region. He said that the state will be well connected to the grid by next September. "Once the state is linked with IGGL, there will be no issue in supplying gas for power generation or industrial needs," he added.

The rise in gas production to be planned through IGGL and better connectivity will help significantly raise the energy security of Tripura and raise industrial growth in this state by assured natural gas supply for several sectors in that region.

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