Overview

• Union minister Hardeep Singh Puri announced the finding at Vijayapuram-2, about 17 km off the Andaman east coast in Block AN-OSHP-2018/1.
• Initial production testing between 2,212 and 2,250 meters recorded intermittent inflow and flaring, with samples tested in Kakinada showing roughly 87% methane.
• Oil India called it the first reported hydrocarbon occurrence of the current Andaman shallow offshore campaign and said further analyses are in progress.
• Gas isotope studies and additional tests of higher-up prospects are being conducted to determine the system’s genesis and evaluate reservoir characteristics.
• The government framed the result within its National Deep Water Exploration Mission under OALP, citing potential collaboration with Petrobras, BP India, Shell and ExxonMobil, while noting commerciality will be verified in the coming months.