New Delhi: Oil and Natural Gas Corporation (ONGC) has struck gas in the deep waters of the Mahanadi Basin, marking an important development in India’s ongoing efforts to expand domestic hydrocarbon exploration into deep and ultra-deepwater frontiers.
The discovery was made through MDW-28 (MN-DW18-1-H-D), the maiden well of ONGC’s current deepwater exploration campaign in the Mahanadi Basin. The well is currently flowing gas at encouraging rates with sustained and healthy reservoir pressure, according to ONGC.
The deepwater campaign was launched on 25 July 2026 by Union Minister for Petroleum and Natural Gas Shri Hardeep Singh Puri, with the spudding of MDW-28 in the deep offshore Mahanadi Basin. The campaign is aligned with the Government’s Samudra Manthan initiative, aimed at accelerating exploration and development of India’s offshore hydrocarbon resources.
Following detailed evaluation of subsurface data, the well was perforated on 18 September 2026. Subsequent testing showed a good gas flow rate along with healthy reservoir pressure, indicating encouraging reservoir characteristics.
During the drilling and testing operations, ONGC Chairman Arun Kumar Singh, Director (Technology & Field Services) Vikram Singh and Director (Exploration) Om Prakash Sinha visited the drillship and interacted with the crew, encouraging them during the deepwater operations.
The latest find adds to the growing exploration activity in the Mahanadi offshore region. ONGC said the discovery, along with other finds in the area, could potentially be considered for development through shared facilities enabled under the PNG Rules, 2025, which could help accelerate the bringing of deepwater resources into production.
The successful gas strike demonstrates the potential of India’s offshore basins and provides further impetus to the country’s efforts to increase domestic hydrocarbon production and reduce dependence on imports.
ONGC is continuing its exploration programme across deep and ultra-deepwater areas in search of new hydrocarbon resources. The latest development in the Mahanadi Basin is being viewed as another step in expanding India’s energy frontiers and strengthening the country’s long-term energy security.
The Mahanadi discovery could mark the beginning of a new chapter in India’s deepwater energy exploration journey.