Oil and Natural Gas Corporation Ltd (ONGC) is hopeful of bringing North Tapti and part of the B-series (B-46,48,105,188) offshore marginal gas fields on stream between February and April this year, according to company sources.

The estimated peak-production from the two fields put together — to be developed at a total cost of over Rs 2,000 crore — is scheduled to touch 3.44 million cubic metres a day (mcmd).

Both the fields are located in the Western Offshore basin, with North Tapti being 237 km west-north-west of Mumbai and 45 km west of Hazira, Gujarat.

North Tapti

Of the two fields, North Tapti was originally scheduled to be commissioned in March 2011, at an estimated cost of Rs 544 crore.

The company previously aimed to produce first gas from the field in October 2011.

The initiative reportedly failed because of technical complications.

“The technical issues now appear to have been resolved and we are positive about bringing the field to production in February,” a source said.

Estimated to produce up to 1.8 mcmd gas, the output from North Tapti is slated to be processed by the Cairn India-led CB/OS-2 joint venture at Hazira.

B-Series

Meanwhile, the development of B-series fields is progressing in full swing and part of the acreage is expected to come into production in April or latest by May, according to the schedule.

“There has been satisfactory progress in the development drilling programme in the fields and the first gas is expected on schedule,” a source told Business Line .

ONGC has already initiated commercial production from C-series and the rest of the B-series (B-193 and B22) marginal fields.

Gas production boost

Meanwhile, the E&P major hopes to reverse the declining trend in production riding on increased output from the offshore marginal assets and onshore fields in Tripura.

Currently producing at 1.7 mcmd; the assets in Tripura should step up production by at least 2.8 mcmd this fiscal to fuel the upcoming 727 MW ONGC Tripura Power (OTPC) station at Palatana.

“There may be some increase in gas production in 2012-13,” a source said, adding that a major production boost should come in 2013-14 when expansion of Tripura capacities will be complete.

> pratim@thehindu.co.in

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