Lok Sabha Question No. 571 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2025-02-06
Subject: Hydrocarbon Exploratory Drilling Projects in Hollongapar Gibbon Sanctuary
Ministry: PETROLEUM AND NATURAL GAS
Asked by: Shri Pradyut Bordoloi

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 571

## TO BE ANSWERED ON 06   FEBRUARY, 2025

## Hydrocarbon Exploratory Drilling Projects in Hollongapar Gibbon Sanctuary

571: Shri Pradyut Bordoloi:

## पेट Ō ोिलयम और Ůाक ृ ितक गैस मंũी

Will the Minister of PETROLEUM AND NATURAL GAS be pleased to state:

- (a)  the  details  of  the  guidelines  governing  the  allocation  and  granting  of  hydrocarbon exploratory projects;
- (b) whether there is any confirmed data on hydrocarbon reserves that are yet unexploited and if so, the details thereof; and
- (c) the reasons for greenlit the hydrocarbon exploratory drilling in the Eco-Sensitive Zone of the  notified  Hollongapar  Gibbon  Sanctuary  along  with  the  criteria  for  choosing  the  firm involved in it?

## ANSWER

## पेट Ō ोिलयम और Ůाक ृ ितक गैस मंũालय मŐ राǛ मंũी (ŵी सुरे श गोपी)

## MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF PETROLEUM AND NATURAL GAS (SHRI SURESH GOPI)

(a) to (c): Licenses for exploratory projects in oil and gas are granted under the provisions of Oilfields  (Regulations  and  Development) Act  and  under  the  policies  notified  from  time  to time by the Central Government. Under Open Acreages Licensing Policy (OALP), companies are  allowed  to  bid  for  unexplored  oil  and  gas  blocks  (acreages)  in  India  through  an  open bidding process. The evaluation of bids is done based on a work program or financial terms as  per  the  revenue-sharing  model  and  blocks  awarded.  Production  of  hydrocarbons  takes place  from  proven  hydrocarbon  reserves  which  are  continuously  accreted  based  on  the discoveries  made  through  exploratory  efforts  and  also  from  continuous  reassessment  of underlying  reservoirs. The  total  crude  oil and  natural  gas  reserves  in  country  are  currently estimated as under:

|       |   Crude Oil Reserves (MMT) (2P+2C) |   Natural Gas Reserves (BCM) (2P+2C) |
|-------|------------------------------------|--------------------------------------|
| Total |                              671.4 |                               1094.2 |

Source: Directorate General of Hydrocarbons

BCM: Billion Cubic Metre, MMT: Million Metric Tonne, 2P: Proven + Probable, 2C: Contingent

Exploratory  activities  can  only  be  commenced  by  the  Awardees  subject  to  availing  all statutory  clearances  as  applicable,  such  as  Environmental  Clearances  (EC),  coastal  zone clearances,  etc.  Grant  of  EC  involves  an  Environmental  Impact  Assessment  (EIA)  study, including  public  hearing  and  proper  assessment  of  exploration  activities  on  environment. E&P activities are undertaken in synergy with steps to enhance the livelihood of the people and  ensuring  minimal  impact  on  the  environment.  For  activities  within  the  Eco-Sensitive Zones (ESZ) of protected areas, wildlife clearance is also mandated. This clearance is issued by the Standing Committee of the National Board for Wildlife (NBWL), which serves as the apex body for granting approvals in such areas. Only upon obtaining this clearance can the operator proceed with drilling activities in ESZs.

Hollongapar Gibbon Sanctuary falls within the block boundary of block AA-ONHP-2017/4. This  block  is  located  in  Assam  Arakan  Basin  and  was  awarded  to  M/s  Vedanta  Limited (100% Participating Interest) under OALP round-I. The Revenue Sharing Contract (RSC) of the  block  was  signed  on  1st  October  2018.  The  Environment  Clearance  for  drilling  of Exploratory  wells  in  AA-ONHP-2017/4  block  was  granted  by  State  Environment  Impact Assessment  Authority,  Assam  to M/s  Vedanta  Limited  under the provisions of  EIA notification after assessment by the State Level Expert Appraisal Committee including field visit undertaken by the Committee. Further, the Exploration operations are being carried out in accordance with decisions of the Hon'ble Supreme Court.

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