New Delhi: Union Minister for Petroleum and Natural Gas Hardeep Singh Puri on Thursday evening announced a significant natural gas discovery in the Andaman Sea, describing it as the opening of “an ocean of energy opportunities” for India.

The discovery was made at Sri Vijayapuram-2 well, located about 9.2 nautical miles (17 km) from the shoreline on the east coast of the Andaman Islands, in water depths of 295 meters. The target drilling depth was 2,650 meters.

Discovery Details

According to Puri, initial production testing conducted at depths of 2,212–2,250 meters confirmed the presence of natural gas, with intermittent flaring observed during the process. Gas samples transported by ship to Kakinada were tested and found to contain 87% methane, indicating high-quality reserves.

“The size of the gas pool and its commercial viability will be verified in the coming months,” the Minister noted, but stressed that the confirmation of hydrocarbons in the Andaman basin validates India’s long-standing belief that the region holds rich reserves of natural gas.

Regional Significance

The Andaman basin lies along a hydrocarbon-rich belt that extends from Myanmar in the north to Indonesia in the south. India’s success in striking gas in this frontier region strengthens its strategic position in the energy sector and mirrors discoveries in neighboring countries.

“This is a major step towards confirming that the Andaman basin can play a crucial role in India’s energy security,” Puri said.

Future Exploration Under Deepwater Mission

The Minister linked the breakthrough to Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s Deepwater Exploration Mission, announced during this year’s Independence Day speech. The mission envisions the drilling of a large number of deepwater wells in offshore basins to expand India’s energy portfolio.

Puri emphasized that India will pursue this opportunity in collaboration with leading global energy companies including Petrobras, BP India, Shell, and ExxonMobil.

Strategic Impact

If commercially viable, the discovery could not only boost domestic natural gas production but also reduce import dependence and accelerate India’s transition to cleaner fuels. Natural gas, with its lower carbon footprint compared to coal and oil, is a key component of India’s energy transition roadmap.

Calling it a “significant milestone in our journey through Amrit Kaal,” Puri asserted that this discovery would enhance India’s confidence in exploring deepwater reserves and contribute to meeting the nation’s long-term energy needs.