GAIL (India) Ltd. is drilling the first of eight exploratory wells in the Cambay basin in western India in the initial exploration phase of a production sharing contract.
The well is targeting Cambay shale and Olpad formations on NELP-IX Block CB-ONN-2010/11.
Drilling began Mar. 27, and target depth of 2,500 m is expected to be reached by mid-May. GAIL anticipates subsequent testing will last 10-15 days.
The well is in the village of Dugari in the Anand district in the state of Gujarat (OGJ Online, June 4, 2012).
Operator GAIL holds 25%. Block partners include Bharat Petro Resources Ltd., Engineers India Ltd., Monnet Ispat Energy Ltd., and Bharat Forge Infrastructure Ltd.
The first phase is expected to continue into March 2017. Acquisition, processing, and interpretation of 2D and 3D seismic data preceded startup of drilling.
