Question

Describe the petroleum resources of India.

Hint:

To remember India's petroleum resources, create a mental map with three key zones:

\textbf{West Coast (Offshore):} Dominated by the giant Mumbai High.
\textbf{Northeast (Onshore):} The historic fields of Assam (Digboi).
\textbf{West (Onshore):} The fields of Gujarat and the new discoveries in Rajasthan.

Answer 1

Petroleum, or mineral oil, is a crucial energy resource for India. However, the country's domestic production is insufficient to meet its demand, making India heavily dependent on imports. The petroleum resources in India are located in both onshore and offshore regions. The distribution of these resources is as follows:
1. Offshore Oilfields Offshore fields are the largest source of petroleum in India, contributing to a majority of the country's total production.

Mumbai High: Located in the Arabian Sea, about 176 km northwest of Mumbai, this is India's largest and most significant oilfield. It was discovered in 1974 and production started in 1976. It contributes a very large share of India's total crude oil production.

Bassein (Vasai) Field: Located south of Mumbai High, this field is rich in both oil and natural gas.

Eastern Offshore (Krishna-Godavari Basin): The basins of the Krishna and Godavari rivers on the east coast have emerged as significant areas for both oil and natural gas reserves. The Ravva offshore field is a notable producer in this region.

2. Onshore Oilfields Onshore production comes from several states, with Assam, Gujarat, and Rajasthan being the most important.

Assam (Brahmaputra Valley): This is the oldest oil-producing region in India. The major fields are:

Digboi: The oldest oilfield in India, where oil was first discovered in 1867.
Naharkatiya and Moran-Hugrijan: These are other significant oilfields in the state. Oil from these fields is sent to refineries at Nunmati (Guwahati) and Barauni.

Gujarat Plains: This is the second-largest onshore producing region in India. The important fields include:

Ankleshwar: One of the most important fields in Gujarat.
Kalol, Mehsana, Navagam, and Kosamba are other major oil-producing areas.

Rajasthan: Rajasthan has emerged as a major onshore producer in recent years. The Mangala oil field in the Barmer district is the largest onshore oil discovery in India in over two decades. Other important fields in the region include Bhagyam and Aishwarya.

The exploration and production of petroleum in India are primarily managed by two public sector companies: the Oil and Natural Gas Corporation (ONGC) and Oil India Limited (OIL), along with several private and joint-venture companies. Despite these resources, India's domestic production meets only a fraction of its consumption needs.