Aizawl: Mizoram is developing a new roadmap for hydrocarbon exploration despite limited success in earlier efforts, a state official said on Thursday.H Lianzela, secretary of the commerce, industries, geology and mining (CIG&M) department, made the remarks at a review meeting on oil exploration in Mizoram.The meeting assessed the progress of hydrocarbon exploration initiatives across the state. It was attended by Sohban Pathak, additional director general (exploration) of Directorate General of Hydrocarbons under Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas, along with senior officials from Oil and Natural Gas Corporation Limited (ONGC), Oil India Limited (OIL) and Indraprastha Gas Grid Limited (IGGL).Lianzela said the roadmap was being developed through collaboration between the ministry, OIL, ONGC and the state CIG&M department. He called for the use of modern technical expertise, upgraded equipment and renewed efforts to develop strategies for sustainable growth in Mizoram and the northeast.The meeting included presentations on current field data and future plans. Lalremmawia, joint director of Directorate of Geology and Mining, presented “Sharing Findings from Field Inspection and Status of Hydrocarbons Activities in Mizoram”. ONGC and OIL representatives jointly presented “Identification of Prospective Acreages for Future OALP Bid Rounds”, while IGGL experts discussed “Updated Gas Infrastructure and Monetisation Opportunities”.ONGC began exploratory drilling in Mizoram in 2011 and has drilled wells at Meidum and Zanlawn. OIL has conducted exploration in Aibawk, Keifang and Thenzawl.The Chhimluangte Bridge has been retrofitted to allow the movement of heavy drilling equipment near Hortoki village. Discussions also covered extending ONGC Block No. AA-ONN-2001/2 to drill a new exploratory well 2 km from the site of a gas discovery made by ONGC in 2011-12 in the Hortoki area of Kolasib district, bordering Assam.Participants also discussed expanding exploration to Rabung, Tlabung and the Pangzawl-Thiltlang sectors, and assessing the proposed Panisagar-Sihhmui gas pipeline.
