ONGC takes up exploration for Palatan power proj

Agartala, Dec 07: The Oil and Natural Gas Corporation (ONGC) Tripura Project has floated a Special Purpose Vehicle (SPV) for implementation of 740 MW gas based thermal power project at Palatana in Tripura's south district.

The construction works for this Palatan project was expected to take up shortly and to be completed by 2008-2009, according to ONGC Tripura Asset Manager R K Mariya and for this purpose, massive exploration drive had been taken up to feed necessary gas to the upcoming Palatana gas based project.

The ONGC had so far explored 11 of the 19 structures mapped so far in the state, Mr Mariya said adding that seven gas fields were discovered of which four wells were presently under exploration of gas.

Drilling of well will be undertaken in 60 exploratory and 14 development wells as soon as possible including at the vicinity of the Agartala Airport and Tulamura under Udaipur sub-division of south district.

Exploration experts from different parts of the country will come here in January next year to hold a high level discussions regarding the exploration drive, the Asset Manager informed.

ONGC holds the majority stake of the palatana project (50.5 per cent) while IL and Fs holds 26 per cent stake.

Prime Minister Manmohan Singh had laid the foundation stone of the project in October last year and the project at once commissioned, could supply power outside the state meeting this state's requirement.

UNI