Crude oil deposits have been found near Sagarpali village in Ballia district, Uttar Pradesh, prompting the Oil and Natural Gas Corporation (ONGC) to begin exploration activities. This project may require acquiring land from local farmers.
Crude Oil Reserve Discovered in Ballia
A significant crude oil reserve has been discovered on land owned by the family of freedom fighter Chittu Pandey in Ballia. The discovery follows a three-month survey in the Ganga basin, revealing oil reserves at a depth of 3,000 metres.
ONGC has leased six-and-a-half acres of land from Pandey’s family for three years, offering an annual payment of Rs 10 lakh. ONGC officials have confirmed the presence of oil at this notable depth, requiring drilling to 3,001 metres. The excavation process uses 25,000 litres of water daily and is progressing rapidly, with completion expected by the end of April.
If successful, additional wells will be drilled at other identified sites within the Ganga basin, potentially changing the fortunes of local farmers. Neel Pandey, a descendant of Chittu Pandey and landowner, highlighted that ONGC has committed to paying Rs 10 lakh annually for three years, with the possibility of a one-year extension. If oil reserves are confirmed, ONGC plans to acquire surrounding lands at high prices, offering substantial benefits to the farmers. This crude oil reserve spans an area of 300 km, stretching from Sagar Pali village in Ballia to Phaphamau in Prayagraj.
India’s Crude Oil Reserves and ONGC’s Pivotal Role in Exploration
As of April 2021, India’s estimated crude oil reserves stood at approximately 587.335 million metric tonnes. The western offshore region holds the largest portion of these reserves, followed by the oil fields in Assam and Gujarat.
The Oil and Natural Gas Corporation, established in 1956, remains the leading entity in India’s exploration and production of crude oil. ONGC has been instrumental in discovering and developing India’s oil fields, with notable contributions such as the Mumbai High field, the country’s largest oil field, which significantly contributes to India’s crude oil production.
In recent years, ONGC has continued to expand India’s oil reserves, making several new discoveries. In 2024, ONGC announced five new oil and gas discoveries, including both onshore and offshore fields. These new findings are part of ONGC’s ongoing efforts to boost domestic oil production and reduce India’s reliance on oil imports.
