AGARTALA, March 28 (TIWN): With nod from centre’s green panel, approving the state owned oil major ONGC to develop 30 wells across the state, ONGC to start frilling soon for improving the gas resource of the state.The Centre's green panel has given approval to state-owned oil major ONGC for developing 30 wells and other infrastructure in Tripura, entailing an investment of Rs 758 crore.Reportedly, the Expert Appraisal Committee (EAC) of the ministry has also given clearance to the ONGC's Tripura project with some conditions. However, ONGC can start drilling only after it will obtain forest clearance, monitor ambient air quality, control noise from drilling activity, and put in place oil spillage mechanism among others. Based on the EAC recommendations, the ministry will take a decision on giving final environment clearance. According to the preliminary blue print ONGC will develop 30 wells across six gas fields at Boramura, Konaban, Agartala Extension Dome II, Manikynagar, Sundalbari and Gojalia in Tripura. The depths of wells vary from 2,500 to 3,000 meters. Besides, it will also construct a gas collection station (GCS) and a pipeline (54.15 km) connecting GCS to ONGC Tripura Power. Total cost of the project is estimated at Rs 758 crore.

After the board of state-run ONGC has approved an investment of Rs 5,050 crore in Tripura, it is expected that ONGC will be now able to pump in required amount of gas to the power plants to boost the power generation. 

The investment will be done for drilling of wells and creation of surface facilities to produce 5.1 million metric standard cubic metres per day (mmscmd) gas from the fields of Tripura.

It is to be mentioned here that the Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas has taken an initiative to develop the northeast region as a dominant hydrocarbon hub as part of its Hydrocarbon Vision 2030.

The decision was taken after the board meeting held at New Delhi on February 1. The ONGC management has put their first foot forward and approved the additional investment of Rs 3,104 crore for drilling of wells and creation of surface facilities to produce 5.1 mmscmd gases from Tripura fields for the development of the drilling of gas in the state and for its best utilisation. 

However, earlier in 2008, ONGC board had approved the investment of Rs 1,946 crore for drilling of wells and creation of surface facilities to produce 5.1 mmscmd gases from Tripura and total approved investment in Tripura will be Rs 5,050 crore.