ONGC to start work on CBM second phase this year

After completion of the first phase of exploration of its coal bed methane(CBM) block at Ranigunj in West Bengal, oil and gas major, ONGC Limited, will venture into the second phase by 2009-end.

CK Prasad, project manager for CBM development project of ONGC said, "ONGC will be entering into the second part of its exploratory phase at its Ranigunj block by end of this year, for which some minor work has started."

The oil major had identified around two pilot wells, which have been released based on the results of the first phase, informed Prasad.

Exploratory process for a coal bed methane (CBM) block would involve three steps of an exploratory phase, a pilot phase and a final development phase unlike an oil block that does not include the 'intermediary'(pilot) phase. Das further informed that the oil major would enter into the third and final stage based on the success of its second stage findings. In its first phase, the oil major had identified around eight core holes and one exploratory well at its Ranigunj block, which was completed around September, 2008. ONGC had to complete its second stage of findings by 2011, as per its committment to the government of India.

However, the oil major was hopeful of completing the second phase by 2010, further informed Prasad.

Only after the second phase, would ONGC go ahead with its plans of further development of the block.