Oil and Natural Gas Corporation (ONGC) has found hydrocarbon (gas) deposits at Meidum area in Mizoram-Assam border Kolasib district, state Industries Minister H. Rohluna today said in the state assembly.
Replying to a query from Lalrinawma of the Mizo National Front (MNF), Rohluna said that the Oil exploration companies have been conducting tests on the gas found while drilling and hydro-fracturing have been conducted to find out whether more deposits were available.
“As of now, the ONGC predicted that there could be 5,52,674 standard cubic feet (SCF) of gas per day from the Meidum exploration site,” he said.
Four oil giants were involved in the oil exploration venture in the state, he said, adding, however, that the Reliance company was axed for not undertaking exploration and the Director General of Hydrocarbons would soon float another global tender to choose companies to take up exploration in the southern parts of the state.
He said that the companies engaged in the hydrocarbon exploration have already paid Rs 22.06 crore to the state government as Petroleum Exploration Licence (PEL) fees till date.