AGARTALA, June 13 (TIWN): For the first time in its history Tripura Asset undertook hydro-fracturing job in Khubal to assess actual reserves of the field and in Baramura to enhance production from tight sands. Though initially hydro-fracturing was planned to be undertaken at the three well of Khubal and to enhance the production of Baramura to fulfil commitments of TSECL, one well in Baramura field was also taken up.Public Sector Oil giant Oil and Natural Gas Company (ONGC) Tripura Asset which intensified gas exploration to create a recoverable reserve of gas for at least 20 years had successfully carried its second hydro-fracturing at Baramura under Teliamura sub-division of Khowai District. The first hydro-fracturing was conducted at Khubal under Unakoti district earlier. The actual potentiality of gas at Baramura and Khubal would be known after completion of certain tests at the drilled well, said OSD (Onshore) and Asset Manager V P Mahawar on Friday. V P Mahawar said that completion of these HF jobs as envisaged is the culmination of meticulous planning and coordinated efforts by ONGC – Tripura. Further, the results of the post activation jobs in these wells would provide a lead in assessing the reservoirs and way forward for the effective stimulation of these structures.ONGC Tripura Asset on Saturday has taken the media persons for a tour to Baramura drilling site and Baramura Gas Collecting Center (BGCC) to let know about the most advanced technology that ONGC Tripura asset has brought to carry the hydro-fracturing with its advanced tools and equipments.

Talking to the media persons in this regard Mahawar said, “The hydro-fracturing was successfully carried out at Baramura on June 9.” Adding he said that the most advanced drilling through hydro-fracturing was carried first in Assam and later in Tripura in the entire North eastern region whereas the hydro-fracturing at Baramura is the second of its kind in Tripura.

He further said that Tripura Asset is envisaging bigger role of hydro-fracturing in its operations and therefore ONGC is creating necessary infrastructural facility for setting up a permanent WSS Unit in Tripura Asset. Mahawar said, “Such advanced system for drilling wells ensuring potentiality of gas is mostly used in the high profiled countries of the world.” Adding to that Mahawar said ONGC is going ahead with its target to enhance the gas production by the next financial year and create a giant reserve here. To develop the productivity, ONGC has brought most advanced hydro-fracturing technology, used for breaking the sand layer deep inside the surface of the earth to facilitate better flow of gas, he said.

He also said that compared to previous years the ONGC had intensified its exploration of gas by drilling seven to eight wells in a year. The ONGC aims to ensure heavy gas reserve here in the state for at least 20 years. ONGCL has already chalked out a plan for 2015-16 FY and 2016-17 FY to assess the actual gas reserve at Khoubal and its adjacent areas.

ONGC made discovery of commercial gas in the NELP Block in Khubal area in February 2009. Further ONGC has completed drilling of 7 exploratory cum appraisal wells out of which 2 wells are gas bearing. Hydro-fracturing in this area is critical for reservoir assessment and to establish production potential of Khubal Area. To arrest the declining production of the ageing Baramura field and to enhance productivity from tight reservoir sands of this area, it was decided to undertake hydro-fracturing.

Mahawar on Saturday clarified, “Once we carry the hydro-fracturing at any site we have to ensure the potentiality of the gas at first before we connect it with the pipelines and if the potentiality is not up to the mark than we close the well that we drill.”

He further added that the progress of ONGC in Tripura state has been possible due to continuous positive support of the local people, government and media. He complimented the media persons of Tripura for their inquisitiveness about the operations of an E&P company like ONGC.