Lok Sabha Question No. 2502 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2025-03-13
Subject: Petroleum Mining Lease for Ashoknagar Oil Field
Ministry: PETROLEUM AND NATURAL GAS
Asked by: Shri Jagannath Sarkar

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 2502 TO BE ANSWERED ON 13 th  MARCH, 2025

## Petroleum Mining Lease for Ashoknagar Oil Field

## 2502. Shri Jagannath Sarkar:

## पेट Ō ोिलयम और Ůाक ृ ितक गैस मंũी

Will the MINISTER OF PETROLEUM AND NATURAL GAS be pleased to state:

- (a) whether the Petroleum Mining Lease (PML) for the Ashoknagar Oil field has now been granted by the West Bengal Government and if so, the details thereof along with the date of approval and terms of the lease;
- (b) the reasons for the delay of over four years in granting the PML, the estimated financial and production loss due to the non-implementation of the Early Development Plan (EDP);
- (c) the status of the integrated Field Development Plan (FDP) covering 99.06 sq. km. and the projected oil and gas production timeline; and
- (d) whether  the  production  has  commenced  at  the  Ashoknagar  Oil  field  and  if  not,  the reasons for the delay despite the approval of the PML?

## 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)  Yes, West Bengal Government vide letter dated 24th Feb, 2025 has issued Provisional Petroleum Mining Lease (PML) to M/s Oil and Natural Gas Corporation Ltd. (ONGC) for an area of 99.06 Sq. Km. for the New Exploration Licensing Policy (NELP) Block WB-ONN2005/4  for  a  period  of  11  years.  Terms  and  conditions  of  the  lease,  include,  inter-alia, acquisition of land by ONGC in compliance of laws and policies,seeking prior approval of Ministry  of  Home  Affairs  and  Ministry  of  Defence  in  case  of  entrusting  the  task  to international companies  or  foreigners, such other terms  and  conditions as the State Government  may  determine from time  to  time  depending  on  the  exigencies  and  in  public interest,etc.

(b)  Petroleum  and  Natural  Gas  Rules,  1959,  the  State  Government  is  empowered  to  grant Petroleum Mining Lease (PML) with the prior recommendation of the Central Government. The application for PML was made in 10.09.2020, based on Early Development Plan (EDP) considering  the  single  well,  Asokenagar-1  (discovery  well)  for  an  area  (5.88  sq.  km. subsequently increased to 99.06 sq. km.). The recommendation of the Central Government for Grant of PML was conveyed to State Government of West Bengal on 21.10.2020, followed  by  Government  of  India  subsequent  reminder  letters  dated  01.02.2023  and 12.01.2024. The matter was also flagged to the Government of West Bengal in the Eastern Zonal Council Meeting held on 04.07.2024. In the absence of PML, the Operator continued with  the  appraisal/exploratory  drilling  activities  and  established  hydrocarbon  presence  in other wells namely Kanpul-1, Bhurkunda-1 and Ranaghat-2. Provisional  PML  was subsequently granted by State Government of West Bengal on 24.02.2025.

As per EDP production profile, in the first 4 years there was an envisaged production of 18274 m 3 of  oil.  The  well  Asokenagar-1  was put on test production in December 2020. Actual  production  of  ~  352  m 3 was  realized  in  the  well  during  extended  testing  from December 2020 to July 2022. As the PML was delayed, production from the well had to be deferred. As the PML has now been granted, the monetization of remaining 17922 m 3 of oil is a part of future production plan for the block.

(c) & (d) Integrated Field Development Plan of Asokenagar-1 discovery has been approved by  Government on  10.07.2024.  The  provisional PML was  issued by  State  Government  on 24.02.2025.  The  production  of  oil  and  gas  in  sync  with  activities  approved  under  FDP,  is projected within 10 and 17 months respectively, post execution of the deed.

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