New Delhi, June 5 (IANS). State-run Maharatna company Oil India Ltd on Friday announced a new discovery of natural gas in its third exploration well in the shallow marine (offshore) block of Andaman. The company said the discovery is another important indication of the presence of hydrocarbons in the region.
According to the company, this well named Vijayapuram-3 (location OAEB) has been drilled in the offshore Andaman block AN-OSHP-2018/1 under the Open Acreage Licensing Policy (OALP).
This well is located in the sea about 15 kilometers off the east coast of the Andaman Islands, where the water depth is 355 meters.
The company said that the drilling work was done to a depth of more than 1,900 meters in the Eocene ground level.
In an exchange filing, Oil India said preliminary production testing of the well has confirmed the presence of natural gas. Continuous gas burning was observed after perforation, indicating availability of gas.
The company said that the pressure in the well increased rapidly and after that gas production started.
“Oil India Limited is pleased to announce the discovery of natural gas in the third exploration well Vijayapuram-3 (location OAEB), drilled at 355 meters water depth and 15 kilometers off the east coast of Andaman Islands in offshore Andaman block AN-OSHP-2018/1 under the Open Acreage Licensing Policy,” Oil India said in its regulatory filing.
The company said that at present the gas samples are being tested to determine its composition and calorific value.
Along with this, isotope study is also being done, which will help in understanding the source and origin of hydrocarbons.
This is the second confirmation of hydrocarbons in the Andaman offshore block. Earlier in September 2025, natural gas was also discovered in the second exploration well Vijaypuram-2 (location OAEA).
So far, three exploratory wells have been drilled in this block, two of which have indicated the presence of hydrocarbons.
The company has described this new discovery as an important indicator, which points to the source of hydrocarbons, their flow path or the presence of potential reserves in this area.
Oil India believes that this discovery will play an important role in formulating the strategy for future exploration and production activities in the field.
–IANS
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