RIL resumes crude oil production from KG-D6 block

Reliance Industries has restarted crude oil production from its predominantly gas-rich KG-D6 block after more than a month-long planned shutdown for connecting new wells.

"Production from MA field (in KG-D6 block) restarted yesterday," a company source said today.

The field was producing a couple of thousand barrels per day on restart but would quickly ramp up to 20,000 barrels per day (bpd) in a day or two.

Reliance had shut production from MA field on March 22 to connect more oils for raising output. The MA field was producing about 18,000 bpd of oil from three wells when it was closed. Three more wells have been hooked up during the planned shutdown period.

"Output is expected to rise to 40,000 bpd before the end of April-June quarter," the source said.

Reliance spokesperson declined to comment.The MA field in KG-DWN-98/3, or KG-D6 off the Andhra coast, began pumping oil on September 17, 2008, had produced 7,90,000 barrels of oil till December 9 when output ceased due to equipment failure. It had resumed production in early March after the three month shutdown.

Reliance is the operator with a 90 per cent stake in the 7,645 square km D6 block in Krishna Godavari basin. Niko Resources of Canada holds the remaining 10 per cent interest.