ONGC ready to supply gas to 2 thermal projects

Oil and Natural Gas Corporation (ONGC) is ready to supply gas to two upcoming thermal power projects in the North-East -- its own plant at Palatana, in South Tripura district, and NEEPCO's Monarchak unit, in West Tripura district -- official sources said today.

"ONGC is fully ready to supply 1.9 mmscmd gas per day to cater to the needs of the Palatana and Monarchak power plants," ONGC's Tripura Asset Manager K Satyanarayana said today.

As per the schedule, the first phase of the 726-MW Palatana power project being implemented by ONGC Tripura Power Company Ltd (OTPCL) -- a special purpose vehicle between ONGC, the Tripura government and IL&FS --  will be operational by February next year, though it was supposed to come onstream by the end of this year.

In the case of the Monarchak project, NEEPCO has fixed a deadline of March, 2013, for power generation from the 104-MW project.

As per the plan, ONGC will supply gas to the Palatana power project from 14 wells in phases, with the objective of running the plant for 20-22 years.

In view of the growing demand for natural gas, the ONGC has kicked off 'Mission Six Million' to increase gas production and has set a target for drilling 41 wells in Tripura by next year.

"We are hopeful of achieving the target within the scheduled time," he said.

However, the asset manager made it clear that ONGC would not be in a position to supply gas for any new project after meeting the demand of the Palatana and Monarchak power plants.

Satyanarayana said ONGC discovered a well at Khoubal, in North Tripura district, last year and is trying hard to explore more wells in the state.