ONGC shuts BPA complex, output drops over 42%

State-run Oil and Natural Gas Corporation (ONGC) has shutdown a process complex at its Bassein gas field off Mumbai, leading to an over 42 per cent fall in output.

"We shut the BPA production complex on February 22 to hook-up a new platform. The shutdown was to last nine days but we are trying to resume production by tomorrow," ONGC Chairman and Managing Director R S Sharma said here.

The shutdown of BPA complex lead to fall in gas supplies to 17.5 million standard cubic meters per day from 30.55 mmscmd. During normal days, BPA received 28 mmscmd from Bassein field and 2.55 mmscmd from B-55 fields.

"We are receiving about 13 mmscmd less gas this week," said B C Tripathi, director (marketing), GAIL India.

The shutdown has resulted in a pro-rata cut in gas output of consumers including power and fertilizer units.

The new offshore platform is being hooked up and production would be resumed by tomorrow or latest by day after tomorrow, Sharma said.

Last week, a under-sea pipeline leakage had cut supplies from Panna-Mukta and Tapti fields, also in western offshore, by 25 per cent. The supplies fell to 12 mmscmd from 16 mmscmd.

Normal supplies were restored after a three-day disruption of the fields that are jointly operated by BG Group of UK, Reliance Industries and ONGC. ONGC holds 40 per cent stake in the fields while BG and Reliance have 30 per cent a piece.