ONGC's Bassein gas field attains record production of 200 bcm

Oil & Natural Gas Corporation Ltd. | Oil Exploration | Oil & Gas | BSE: 500312 | NSE: ONGC

08 Jun 2011 Evaluate

State-owned Oil and Natural Gas Corp's (ONGC) Bassein gas field off the Mumbai coast has achieved record production of 200 billion cubic meters (bcm). Bassein gas field, which was discovered in 1976 and put into production in September 1988, is now being counted among the world's super giant fields.

Bassein gas field produced 29 million standard cubic meters (mmscmd) per day on May 6 to take cumulative output since its inception to a record 200 bcm. The field was to achieve a peak gas production rate of 20 mmscmd and by 2010; it was envisaged to start declining after a cumulative production of 180 bcm. However, as a result of sound reservoir management practices and timely inputs in terms of wells, well-head platforms, process platforms, first and second stage compression facilities, the field has outperformed all the predictions.

The 23-year old field contributes about 43% to ONGC's total gas production of 64 mmscmd. The field was to see natural decline set in last year, but that has not just been arrested, there is an upward trend in output in recent years. The average output from the field was 27.5 mmscmd in recent years, but this month, it is producing 29 mmscmd. For more than two decades, Bassein gas has proved to be a lifeline for the Indian economy and served as the basic building block for the fertilizer, petrochemical and energy sectors.