Crude Oil Reserves Found On Freedom Fighter's Land In UP; Farm Owners In 300km Radius May Strike Gold
ONGC is exploring crude oil near Sagarpali village in Ballia district of Uttar Pradesh, discovering crude oil reserve on land leased from freedom fighter Chittu Pandey's family
Crude oil deposits have been discovered near Sagarpali village in Ballia district of Uttar Pradesh, and ONGC has initiated exploration efforts. This venture may involve acquiring land from local farmers.
Crude Oil Reserve Found
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A significant crude oil reserve was found on the land owned by the family of freedom fighter Chittu Pandey in Ballia. The discovery came after 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 from Pandey’s family for three years, paying Rs 10 lakh annually. ONGC officials confirmed the presence of oil reserves at this significant depth, necessitating drilling down to 3,001 metres. The excavation uses 25,000 litres of water daily and is progressing rapidly, with completion expected by the end of April.
Drilling At Different Locations In Ganga Basin
If successful, similar wells will be drilled at other identified locations in the Ganga basin, potentially transforming the fortunes of local farmers. Landowner and Chittu Pandey’s descendant Neel Pandey mentioned ONGC’s commitment to paying Rs 10 lakh annually for three years, with a possible one-year extension. Should oil be found, ONGC will acquire surrounding lands at high prices, greatly benefiting the farmers.
This crude oil reserve spans an area of 300 km, from Sagar Pali village in Ballia to Phaphamau in Prayagraj.
India’s Crude Oil Reserves
As of April 2021, India had estimated crude oil reserves of approximately 587.335 million metric tonnes. The western offshore region accounts for the largest share of these reserves, followed by Assam and Gujarat.
The Oil and Natural Gas Corporation (ONGC) is the leading entity in the exploration and production of crude oil in India. Established in 1956, ONGC has played a pivotal role in discovering and developing India’s oil fields. Notable discoveries include the Mumbai High field, which is the largest oil field in India, contributing significantly to the country’s crude oil production.
In recent years, ONGC has made several new discoveries to bolster India’s oil reserves. For instance, in 2024, ONGC announced five new oil and gas discoveries, including both onshore and offshore fields. These discoveries are part of ONGC’s ongoing efforts to enhance domestic oil production and reduce dependency on imports.
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