New Delhi, Aug 29 (IANS) Union Petroleum and Natural Gas Minister Hardeep Singh Puri on Saturday said ONGC's first commercial hydrocarbon discovery in the Bengal Basin at Ashoknagar has moved a decisive step closer to monetisation, marking a significant development in India's efforts to strengthen energy security and boost domestic hydrocarbon production.
In a post on social media platform X, Puri said that less than three months after the development well AS-1Z was spudded on May 30, 2026, ONGC successfully established the flow potential of light, high-quality crude oil from the field.
"In a significant step towards further strengthening India’s unprecedented journey towards energy security and boosting domestic production of hydrocarbons under the dynamic leadership of PM Modi, the first commercial hydrocarbon discovery by ONGC in the Bengal Basin at Ashoknagar has moved a decisive step closer to monetisation," the minister said.
"In less than three months since the spudding of development well AS-1Z on 30 May 2026, ONGC successfully established the flow potential of light, high-quality crude oil," he added.
He said the maiden consignment of crude oil from the Ashoknagar field was flagged off for transportation to Indian Oil Corporation's Haldia Refinery in the presence of Ashoknagar MLA Dr Sumay Hira and ONGC's Director of Exploration.
According to Puri, the development marks an important transition from years of exploration and perseverance to actual production potential, bringing West Bengal more firmly onto India's hydrocarbon map.
The minister described the development as a significant step towards strengthening India's energy security and increasing domestic production of hydrocarbons under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
The Ashoknagar discovery is expected to add momentum to exploration and production activities in the Bengal Basin, as India seeks to reduce its dependence on imported hydrocarbons and expand the contribution of domestic resources to its energy requirements.
Puri also said the development reflects the progress being made in West Bengal's hydrocarbon sector, while crediting the state's leadership and ongoing efforts to advance its energy potential.
--IANS
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