# ONGC strikes gas off Odisha coast

> State oil company finds gas in deepwater well 43 km from shore, but commercial viability still uncertain.
- Title: ONGC strikes gas off Odisha coast · The Economic Times
- Summary: State oil company finds gas in deepwater well 43 km from shore, but commercial viability still uncertain. ONGC discovered gas in the Mahanadi Basin deepwater…
- Keywords: ongc, gas discovery, mahanadi basin, odisha, deepwater exploration, samudra manthan, india, hydrocarbon resources, konark, offshore basin, strikes, gas
- Source: The Economic Times — https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/industry/energy/oil-gas/gas-found-near-odisha-coast-ongc-strikes-mahanadi-deepwater-well-under-samudra-manthan-finds-encouraging-flow-at-1450-metres/articleshow/134389360.cms
- Author: ET Online
- Published: 2026-09-21T12:36:00+00:00
- Read time: 1 min
- Topics: ongc, gas discovery, mahanadi basin, odisha, deepwater exploration, samudra manthan, india, hydrocarbon resources, konark, offshore basin
## ONGC finds gas off Odisha
State-run Oil and Natural Gas Corporation discovered gas in a deepwater well in the Mahanadi Offshore Basin, about 43 km from Konark on India's eastern coast.
## Discovery made under Samudra Manthan
The well, named MN-DW18-1-H-D, was drilled as part of ONGC's Samudra Manthan deepwater exploration campaign and is the first well drilled in the Mahanadi Basin under this initiative.
## Gas found at 1,450 metres depth
The exploration well encountered gas between depths of 1,441 and 1,452 metres. The well was spudded on July 25 using the drillship Platinum Explorer and drilled to a target depth of 1,623 metres.
## Encouraging flow recorded
The well has been flowing gas for three days with encouraging flow and reservoir pressure, according to ONGC. The discovery was made on September 18.

> the well has been flowing gas for the past three days and recorded "encouraging flow and reservoir pressure".
## Appraisal needed for viability
ONGC must conduct further appraisal and commercial evaluation to establish the scale and viability of the find before any development decision is made.
## Proximity to coast aids development
The well's location 43 km from the Odisha coast could support faster monetisation if viable. ONGC plans to develop it using shared infrastructure under the Petroleum and Natural Gas Rules, 2025.
## Key takeaway

ONGC discovered gas in the Mahanadi Basin deepwater well, but needs further appraisal to confirm if it's commercially viable for production.