Oil & Natural Gas Corporation (ONGC) has achieved a significant milestone in its Discovered Small Field (DSF-II) monetisation efforts by commencing gas sales from the Chinnewala Tibba field in Rajasthan's Rajasthan Kutch Onland Exploratory Asset (RKOEA).

Key Highlights

• ONGC has started supplying 1 lakh standard cubic meters of gas per day (LSCMD) to Rajasthan Rajya Vidyut Utpadan Nigam Limited (RRVUNL).
• The gas sales began on August 25, 2025, marking a crucial step in the company's DSF-II monetisation strategy.
• The Chinnewala Tibba block, covering an area of 73 sq. km, is located in Western Rajasthan, close to the Indo-Pak international border.

Strategic Importance

This development is of strategic importance for several reasons:

1. Energy Security: The commencement of gas sales from Chinnewala Tibba contributes to India's energy security by enhancing domestic production.
2. Regional Development: The gas supply to RRVUNL's Ramgarh facility will support the region's growing energy requirements.
3. Efficient Resource Monetisation: This project demonstrates ONGC's focus on efficient resource monetisation under the DSF framework.

Collaborative Effort

The successful launch of gas sales from Chinnewala Tibba is the result of close collaboration between multiple stakeholders:

• ONGC
• Directorate General of Hydrocarbons (DGH)
• GAIL
• Oil India Limited (OIL)
• Rajasthan Rajya Vidyut Utpadan Nigam Limited (RRVUNL)

This cooperation ensured smooth integration of gas supplies into the regional power grid.

Official Inauguration

The inauguration ceremony was attended by senior ONGC officials, including:

• Shri Arunangshu Sarkar, Director (Strategy & Corporate Affairs)
• Shri Om Prakash Sinha, Director (Exploration)

The officials emphasized that this achievement reaffirms ONGC's role as a trusted partner of the Government of India in achieving national energy objectives.

ONGC's successful commencement of gas sales from the Chinnewala Tibba field demonstrates the company's commitment to enhancing domestic energy production and its ability to efficiently monetize resources under the Discovered Small Field framework. This development is expected to have a positive impact on the region's energy landscape and contribute to India's overall energy security goals.

Oil & Natural Gas Corporation Energy Centre Trust and Engineers India Limited have joined forces to establish a groundbreaking Helium Recovery Demonstration Plant at ONGC's Kuthalam Gas Collection Station in Tamil Nadu. The collaboration, formalized through an agreement signed on August 18, 2025, marks a significant step towards enhancing India's capabilities in high-value gas production.

Project Details

The ₹39.42 crore project aims to leverage technology developed by CSIR-Indian Institute of Petroleum to recover Grade-A Helium with an impressive purity of 99.995% from natural gas. This initiative is set to bolster India's position in the global helium market, potentially reducing the country's reliance on imports for this critical resource.

Technical Specifications

The demonstration plant is designed with the following specifications:

Scope of Work

The project encompasses a comprehensive approach, including:

1. Preparation of a Detailed Project Report
2. Development of a Basic Engineering Design Package
3. Execution through EPCM (Engineering, Procurement, and Construction Management) and Supply model

Strategic Importance

This collaborative effort between ONGC Energy Centre Trust and Engineers India Limited is poised to play a crucial role in building indigenous capabilities for helium production. Currently, India imports helium for various high-tech applications, including:

• Space exploration
• Semiconductor manufacturing
• Cryogenics
• Fiber optics production
• Medical technologies

The success of this demonstration plant could pave the way for reduced dependence on helium imports and position India as a potential producer of this valuable gas.

Industry Impact

The establishment of the Helium Recovery Demonstration Plant represents a significant advancement in India's gas processing capabilities. If successful, this project could open new avenues for the country in the global helium market, potentially leading to economic benefits and enhanced technological self-reliance.

As the project unfolds over the next 18 months, it will be closely watched by industry experts and policymakers alike, given its potential to transform India's position in the high-value gas sector.