The State Environment Impact Assessment Authority (SEIAA) has granted environmental clearance to Oil and Natural Gas Corporation (ONGC) for drilling 20 onshore exploratory wells in Tamil Nadu’s Ramanathapuram district.
Issued on March 11, the clearance allows exploration across a 1,403 sq. km block in the Ramnad sub-basin, with each well drilled to depths of 2,000–3,000 mtrs. over four months. ONGC, however, must still obtain a Petroleum Exploration License (PEL) from the State Industries Department before commencing operations.
The proposed wells are seen to lie near ecologically sensitive zones, including the Gulf of Mannar Marine National Park and several bird sanctuaries. Farmers demand amendments to the Cauvery Delta Protection Act to extend safeguards to Ramanathapuram and Sivagangai.