India is set to intensify its search for hidden energy resources beneath the ocean floor as part of the ambitious ‘Samudra Manthan’ National Deep Water Exploration Mission. The government has announced plans to drill nearly 150 deep-sea and ultra-deep-sea wells in the waters surrounding the Andaman and Nicobar Islands.
Union Petroleum Minister said that three exploratory wells have already been drilled under the mission, with natural gas discoveries reported from two locations. The next phase will focus on a vast offshore area of around 250,000 square kilometres.
₹95,000 Crore Investment Plan
The government has prepared a large-scale investment strategy to accelerate offshore exploration. Around ₹95,000 crore is expected to be invested over the next three years for drilling and related activities.
According to officials, drilling a single deep-sea well can cost approximately ₹1,700 crore due to complex technology requirements, harsh marine conditions, and the need for advanced exploration equipment.
Andaman Basin Offers Major Potential
The geological structure of the Andaman and Nicobar offshore basin is considered similar to energy-rich marine regions of Indonesia, Malaysia, Brunei, and Vietnam. These Southeast Asian regions have significant offshore oil and gas production capabilities.
Energy experts believe that the Andaman basin could provide new opportunities for domestic hydrocarbon production, although extracting resources from deep and remote ocean areas remains technically challenging.
Recent Gas Discoveries Boost Confidence
The exploration campaign received momentum after gas discoveries at wells drilled near the Andaman Islands. A major finding was reported from the Vijayapuram-3 well, located about 15 kilometres off the eastern coast of Andaman, where drilling reached a depth of approximately 1,900 metres below the seabed in 355-metre-deep waters.
Earlier, the Vijayapuram-2 well also indicated the presence of methane gas.
Reducing Import Dependence
India’s energy demand has been rising rapidly, creating pressure to diversify domestic energy sources. The deep-sea exploration programme is part of a broader strategy to improve energy self-reliance and reduce dependence on imported crude oil and gas.
