ongc expects oil and petrol reservoirs in kishanganj

KISHANGANJ: The resurgent Bihar has something more to cheer about as Kishanganj, which once put the state on country's tea map, might be on the oil map of the country soon. The Oil And Natural Gas Commission (ONGC), after doing oil exploration of the area, is likely to start drilling operation in the first week of August at Narkali under Kochadhaman block in Kishanganj, ONGC sources said.

ONGC scientists as well as engineers are expecting a huge reservoir of oil in the district. The preliminary surveys done at two sites in Kochadhaman and Bahadurganj blocks have yielded positive results, sources said, adding ONGC engineers have drawn up a road map for drilling operation in early August at Narkali. The drilling operations have been planned at two sites, but they will first take it up at Narkali. "For the drilling purpose, Rs 200 crore has already been earmarked," ONGC sources said.

"It will be difficult to say precisely how much will it cost and how much time it will take. It all depends on the depth once drilling begins," a senior officer told TOI on condition of anonymity.

Though ONGC officials in Kolkata as well as in Kishanganj are tight-lipped about what really lies in the belly of Kishanganj, they sounded optimistic. "If we have gone so far, it is surely not without reason," a senior ONGC official told TOI on Saturday over phone from Kolkata, adding ONGC top brass might be present when the drilling operation begins in August.

Over 50 engineers and 200 workers are already engaged at the Narkali site and drilling machines and other equipment have reached the spot, the official said.

Kishanganj DM Sandeep Kumar R Pudakalkatti said on Tuesday the state government has acquired and allocated nearly 3.5 acre land at Narkali under Kochadhaman block to the ONGC for a three-year term. Similarly, land will be allocated to the ONGC at Bahadurganj also, he said.

Kochadhaman RJD MLA Akhtar-ul-Iman welcomed ONGC's drilling operation, saying once the oil reservoir is detected, it will only transform the economy of the area.

The immense possibility of oil reservoirs at two sites in Kishanganj has elated local people also. "The oil exploration, if it yields positive results, will bring prosperity to the area," Mohammad Giasuddin, a native of Kochadhaman, said.