The Mizoram government on Thursday held a review meeting on oil and hydrocarbon exploration in the state, assessing ongoing activities and plans to expand the search for potential oil and gas reserves.
The “Review Meeting on Oil Exploration in Mizoram” was organised by the Commerce, Industries, Geology & Mining (CIG&M) Department and chaired by Dr H. Lianzela, Secretary of the department.
The meeting was attended by Sohban Pathak, Additional Director General (Exploration), Directorate General of Hydrocarbons under the Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas, along with senior officials from Oil and Natural Gas Corporation Limited (ONGC), Oil India Limited (OIL) and Indraprastha Gas Grid Limited (IGGL).
Dr Lianzela said previous efforts to explore Mizoram’s subsurface resources had not produced the expected results, but recent cooperation between the Centre, oil companies and the state government had opened up new possibilities.
He called for the use of modern technology, improved equipment and technical expertise to develop a strategic approach to hydrocarbon exploration that could contribute to the economic development of Mizoram and the wider Northeast.
During the technical sessions, Lalremmawia, Joint Director, Directorate of Geology & Mining, presented findings from field inspections and an update on hydrocarbon activities in Mizoram.
Representatives of ONGC and OIL jointly presented plans to identify prospective areas for future Open Acreage Licensing Policy (OALP) bidding rounds, while technical experts from IGGL discussed gas infrastructure and potential opportunities for commercialising gas resources.
ONGC began exploratory drilling in Mizoram in 2011. The company has since drilled wells at Meidum and Zanlawn, while OIL has undertaken exploration activities at Aibawk, Keifang and Thenzawl.
The meeting also discussed preparations for further drilling near Hortoki village in Kolasib district. The Chhimluangte Bridge has been retrofitted to allow the movement of heavy equipment required for drilling operations.
Officials also discussed the regularisation and extension of ONGC Block No. AA-ONN-2001/2 to facilitate the drilling of a new exploratory well around 2 km from the site where ONGC first discovered gas at Hortoki in 2011–12.
The meeting further discussed expanding exploration to southern Mizoram, including the Rabung, Tlabung and Palzawng–Thiltlang areas. The proposed Panisagar–Sihhmui Gas Pipeline was also discussed as part of efforts to strengthen gas infrastructure and explore future opportunities for gas monetisation.