ONGC is expected to commence gas production at its underground coal
gasification (UCG) project on a pilot basis at Vastan Mine Block near Surat in
Gujarat by end of 2010. The field is expected to produce about 5.5 lakh cubic
metres of synthetic gas per day.
According to sources, ONGC - which is the main operator for the field - aims
to go commercial by producing about two billion cubic mtrs of the synthetic gas
per annum from this field by 2013-2014. The project could entail an investment
of Rs 1,000-2,000 crore and the field has enough reserves to last for about
30-40 years.
Apart from Vastan field, ONGC is also looking to set up a UCG project at
Bhavnagar in Gujarat and in Rajasthan.
Also See:
ONGC kick
starts ultra deep oil exploration off Kerala coast (03-Aug-09)