NEW DELHI: State-run Oil India Limited (OIL) Friday said it has reported the presence of natural gas in its third exploratory well in the Andaman shallow offshore block, further indicating hydrocarbon potential in the region.In a regulatory filing to stock exchanges, the company said natural gas was encountered in the exploratory well Vijayapuram-3, drilled 15 km off the east coast of the Andaman Islands at a water depth of 355 metres in an offshore block under the Open Acreage Licensing Policy (OALP).“Initial production testing of the well at the depth of 1900 plus metres in the Eocene formation has established the presence of natural gas through continuous flaring. Post perforation, immediate pressure build up was observed and well started to produce,” it said. It added that gas sampling is being undertaken to assess its composition and calorific value and to carry out isotope studies to understand its genesis.With this, OIL has established the presence of hydrocarbons in two of the three wells in the Andaman offshore block. The first indication of natural gas was reported from its second exploratory well, Vijayapuram-2, in Sept 2025.About the AuthorAtul MathurAtul Mathur is a Senior Assistant Editor at The Times of India with over 27 years of experience in journalism. Based in Delhi, he has spent much of his career reporting on governance, public policy and politics, churning out researched, data-driven stories that impact daily lives. Atul is known for investigative depth and strong human-interest narratives as he strives to bring clarity and context to complex issues. He currently tracks the energy sector, writing on power, renewable energy, coal and mines.Read MoreEnd of ArticleFollow Us On Social MediaVideosPatna Protest Case: Khan Sir Booked Under Attempted Murder ChargeTMC Reorganises Bengal Unit: Chandrima Bhattacharya Appointed PresidentWhat Training 5 Lakh Indian Army Personnel In Drone Operations Means For Future Wars?Indian Navy Invites Domestic Industry to Build 80-mm Aero Rockets for MiG-29K FleetDelhi Fire Horror: Owner’s Bangladesh-Linked Arrest Draws AttentionIndia Urges Faster Bangladesh Verification To Deport Illegal MigrantsFrom Locked Exits To No NOC: Ground Report Exposes Delhi’s Fire Safety CrisisShehbaz Sharif Hails Trump As ‘Man Of Peace’, Credits Him For India-Pakistan CeasefireTMC Crisis Could Boost NDA’s Numbers For Delimitation, One Nation One Election Bills | WatchAmid NEET Paper Leak Row, IIT Roorkee Denies JEE Advanced Data Breach Allegations123PhotostoriesFrom a throne-like toilet seat and a Jaipur-sourced vintage door to a tree bark in the living room: A look inside Choreographer Terence Lewis’ Mumbai homeAre you sleeping or suffocating? Doctor shares the early signs of sleep apnea you should never ignoreHandwashing can cut infections by 50%, but most people still don’t do it properlyFrom Aamir Khan to Shoaib Malik: 8 famous celebrities who got married three timesFrom Chaach to Papaya: UP Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath’s daily diet at the age of 54Psychology says emotionally exhausted people don’t always cry — they start saying “it’s fine”Six Signs That Guardian Angels Guide YouWhich lucky charm should you place on your office desk; based on your date of birth?8 everyday habits that build strong problem-solving skills in kidsSonakshi Sinha and Zaheer Iqbal’s penthouse is a relaxing abode of minimalism with bright bohemian colours: Art inspirations to steal123Hot PicksH1B ProgramKS BharatCaitlin ClarkJoe BurrowKCET result 2026Cooper KuppCockroach Janta PartyDonald TrumpEarthquake NewsTop TrendingCM VijayDelhi Greater Kailash FireRBI MPC Meeting 2026K AnnamalaiMohali Office MurderMamata BanerjeeIndian RupeeTCS Nashik CaseDelhi Plice HCM Result 2026Pawan Kalyan
NEW DELHI: State-run Oil India Limited (OIL) Friday said it has reported the presence of natural gas in its third exploratory well in the Andaman shallow offshore block, further indicating hydrocarbon potential in the region.In a regulatory filing to stock exchanges, the company said natural gas was encountered in the exploratory well Vijayapuram-3, drilled 15 km off the east coast of the Andaman Islands at a water depth of 355 metres in an offshore block under the Open Acreage Licensing Policy (OALP).“Initial production testing of the well at the depth of 1900 plus metres in the Eocene formation has established the presence of natural gas through continuous flaring. Post perforation, immediate pressure build up was observed and well started to produce,” it said. It added that gas sampling is being undertaken to assess its composition and calorific value and to carry out isotope studies to understand its genesis.With this, OIL has established the presence of hydrocarbons in two of the three wells in the Andaman offshore block. The first indication of natural gas was reported from its second exploratory well, Vijayapuram-2, in Sept 2025.