AGARTALA, Aug 16 (TIWN): After almost few months, ONGC is likely to begin with new drilling and will also start supplying gas to Monarchak by December.

Monarchak cannot function until they get gas from ONGC. Once they get gas from ONGC the turbines will start running in full swing.

Tripura Asset of ONGC has expedited exploration of gas in the state which will be supplied to a proposed fertiliser industry at Khobal in North Tripura district and gas-based thermal power project in Gomati.

So far, ONGC have drilled 10 wells in Khobal field of which three are gas bearing and more nine fields would be drilled in the area by next year. After exploration is over, ONGC would be able to tell how much gas could be supplied for the proposed unit.

At present, Tripura Asset has production capacity of 4.95 mmscmd per day which would rise to 6.25 mmscmd a day by the next year, as per the source.