Mizoram is preparing a new roadmap to revive hydrocarbon exploration, bringing together the Directorate General of Hydrocarbons, Oil and Natural Gas Corporation Limited, Oil India Limited and the state government after limited success in earlier efforts.
The roadmap was discussed at a review meeting on oil exploration in the state, where H Lianzela, secretary of Mizoram’s commerce, industries, geology and mining department, said the initiative would focus on modern technical expertise, upgraded equipment and strategies for sustainable growth in Mizoram and the wider northeast.
The meeting was attended by Sohban Pathak, additional director general (exploration) of the Directorate General of Hydrocarbons under the Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas, along with senior officials from ONGC, OIL and Indraprastha Gas Grid Limited. It reviewed the progress of hydrocarbon exploration activities across Mizoram and considered potential areas for future work.
Officials presented current field findings and plans for new exploration. Lalremmawia, joint director of the Directorate of Geology and Mining, presented an assessment of field inspections and the status of hydrocarbon activities in the state. ONGC and OIL representatives jointly discussed the identification of prospective acreages for future Open Acreage Licensing Policy bid rounds.
The review also examined gas infrastructure and possible routes to monetise future discoveries. Experts from IGGL presented an update on gas infrastructure and monetisation opportunities, while participants assessed the proposed Panisagar-Sihhmui gas pipeline.
Exploration in Mizoram has already involved drilling and supporting infrastructure. ONGC began exploratory drilling in the state in 2011 and has drilled wells at Meidum and Zanlawn. OIL has conducted exploration in Aibawk, Keifang and Thenzawl. The Chhimluangte Bridge near Hortoki village was retrofitted to permit the movement of heavy drilling equipment, linking exploration activity to upgrades in the state’s transport infrastructure.
The latest discussions included extending ONGC Block No. AA-ONN-2001/2 to enable drilling of a new exploratory well near the site of a gas discovery made by ONGC in 2011-12 in the Hortoki area of Kolasib district, close to the Assam border. The proposed well would be located about 2 km from that discovery site.
Officials also discussed expanding exploration to Rabung, Tlabung and the Pangzawl-Thiltlang sectors. The meeting did not announce commercial production or confirm a final drilling schedule. The immediate next steps are the preparation of the roadmap, identification of prospective acreages and further assessment of exploration and gas pipeline options.
