Cairn to begin next phase of exploration in Bihar after monsoon

New Delhi, Jul 6 (UNI) Cairn India said it will start the next phase of exploration activity in the onshore NELP IV block GV-ONN-2002/1 in northern Bihar later this year after monsoon.

The first proposed exploration well will be drilled at Havidih-1 in the Darbhanga district with a rig contracted from Weatherford.

Cairn India has collected seismic data over the last two years, including information from an airborne geomagnetic survey of the block and 2D seismic data through application of innovative techniques.

The analysis of more than two thousand rock and soil samples from across the block is in progress, a statement said.

About 4.5 hectares of land has been provided in Havidih under the Baheri circle in Darbhanga district for this purpose. The land has been verified by the District Land Acquisition officials (DLAO).

Currently, the DLAO has issued the notices to land owners concerned and the compensation process for the farmers whose land has been temporarily acquired is underway.

The drill site construction will include the building of about 800 metres of approach road, a camp site and the well site.

The GV-ONN-2002/1 block in north Bihar was awarded under a production sharing contract (PSC) by the Central Government in 2004.

The block is within the Ganga Basin which is one of the largest sedimentary basins of India, but is under-explored and to date no commercial quantities of hydrocarbons have yet been discovered.

As per the PSC, Cairn India has a seven-year exploration period comprising of three phases, which commenced from the issue of the Petroleum Exploration Licence on June 8, 2005.

As operator of the PSC, Cairn India holds a 50 per cent interest in this Block with joint venture partner Cairn Energy PLC, through its subsidiary Capricorn Energy Ltd, holding the remaining 50 per cent interest.

Cairn India is currently focussed on exploration and production in India where it has a working interest in 14 blocks, two of which are producing hydrocarbons.

UNI SBA MP RN1412