Stories
Mizoram Pushes for Accelerated Oil and Gas Exploration with Modern Tech
- •Mizoram CIG&M Secretary H Lianzela called for the use of modern technology and upgraded equipment to accelerate hydrocarbon exploration in the state.
- •A high-level meeting involving officials from the Directorate General of Hydrocarbons, ONGC, OIL, and IGGL reviewed ongoing exploration and future plans.
- •ONGC and OIL presented joint plans to identify prospective areas for future Open Acreage Licensing Policy bidding.
- •Plans for drilling a new exploratory well near Hortoki in Kolasib district were reviewed, with infrastructure already upgraded to transport heavy machinery.
- •Discussions also covered expanding exploration to southern Mizoram and developing the Panisagar-Sihhmui gas pipeline to strengthen regional energy infrastructure.
Key Questions Answered
The meeting was chaired by Mizoram Commerce, Industries, Geology and Mining (CIG&M) Secretary H Lianzela and attended by Sohban Pathak from the Directorate General of Hydrocarbons, alongside senior officials from ONGC, OIL, and Indraprastha Gas Grid Limited (IGGL).
ONGC started exploratory drilling in Mizoram in 2011 with wells at Meidum and Zanlawn in Kolasib district, while OIL has carried out exploration activities at Aibawk near Aizawl, Keifang in Saitual district, and Thenzawl in Serchhip district.
Plans include drilling a new exploratory well near Hortoki in Kolasib district, retrofitting the Chhimluang river bridge in 2025 for heavy machinery transport, expanding exploration to southern sectors like Rabung, and advancing the proposed Panisagar-Sihhmui gas pipeline.
