KOCHI (Commodity Online) : After more than four months of drilling, India’s ONGC has temporarily suspended its first major ultra deep-sea drilling off the Kochi coast in the Arabian Sea.
ONGC invested Rs 400 crore for the drilling after preliminary exploratory drilling confirmed the presence of hydro-carbon, carbohydrate and other chemicals.
Geological samples obtained under the sea matched seismic and geo-chemical studies and the chemical study results stand positive for drilling.
This is the first time that ultra-deep explorations are being carried out in the region. Giant rig bought for this purpose, which can drill up to a depth of 6,500 metres has been stopped drilling after reaching the actual depth.
ONGC was engaged in exploration in the Kerala-Konkan offshore since 1977, and 12 exploratory wells were dug.
