'OIL to start drilling activities in Mebo soon'

Mebo(Arunachal), Dec 16: Oil India Limited(OIL) is all set to undertake drilling activities at Mebo and its adjoining areas under East Siang district of Arunachal Pradesh soon.

Talking to sources here last evening in the sidelines of a valedictory function of the two-day Youth Festival, Chairman cum Managing Director of OIL M R Pasrija said that the company had already carried out seismic survey in the area.

''We are hopeful that exploration will lead to success in these areas and will add revenue not only to the company but also to the state as a whole,'' he commented and added that the exploration would also help a number of ancillary services, which could support the extension and promotional work in the area.

Stating that a large commercial discovery of hydrocarbon resources would change the socio-economic scenario of the state, Mr Pasrija informed that infrastructure development, employment generation and new business opportunities were some of the direct benefits that people of the surrounding areas would get.

Highlighting some of the achievements of the company in the state, the MD further informed that his company was the first to discover crude oil and natural gas in the state way back in late 70s and early 80s and brought two oil fields namely Kharsang and Kumchai on the hydrocarbon map of the country.

The Kharsang field (40 percent OIL share and 60 percent share of a private party) is producing around 200 kilo liter per day (KLPD) of oil while the Kumchai field is producing 150 KLPD, he said and added that the company had already spent over 300 crore in the state and was planning to take up aggressive exploration in the state in future in Manabhum, Jairampur, Pasighat and Namsik.

Earlier addressing the valedictory function of the youth festival as the chief guest Mr Pasrija exhorted the youths of the state to contribute immensely for the cause of the state by taking active part in development of infrastructure and other amenities for making the state a favourite for the tourists.

UNI