Natural gas discovery confirmed in Andaman basin

India has confirmed a natural gas discovery in the Andaman Sea, according to Union Petroleum Minister Hardeep Singh Puri. Oil India, a Maharatna public sector company under the Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas, discovered the gas in the Sri Vijayapuram-2 Well, located 9.2 nautical miles off the east coast of the Andaman Islands.

Testing showed the gas to be 87% methane. The discovery supports India’s deepwater exploration mission launched by Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Independence Day. The initiative aims to tap offshore hydrocarbon reserves through multiple planned deepwater wells. Officials say the find will help strengthen India’s energy security.