New Crude Oil Discovery on Brahmaputra's North Bank Sparks Technological Exploration
Significant Crude Oil Discovery in Assam
Crude oil has been discovered on the north bank of the river Brahmaputra.
Guwahati, Sept 13: A recent discovery of crude oil on the north bank of the Brahmaputra River has been identified as “heavy,” prompting Oil India Limited (OIL) to seek advanced technological methods for its commercial extraction.
Hydrocarbons have been confirmed at a site known as Kobochapori, situated in the Jonai region of Dhemaji.
According to OIL's CMD, Ranjit Rath, this marks the first confirmation of hydrocarbons on the north bank following extensive exploration and seismic assessments. The data collected is currently under analysis.
Rath noted that the crude oil found is “heavy,” and the company is working on strategies to facilitate its flow to the surface.
“We are exploring global technologies and plan to drill more wells to assess the commercial viability and physical feasibility of extraction,” he stated.
Due to the unconventional characteristics of the crude, traditional extraction methods have not been effective in maintaining a consistent flow of oil.
The Kobochapori well has been drilled to depths exceeding 4,300 meters in a challenging riverine environment.
This block spans an area of 524 square kilometers across Assam, including the Dhemaji, Tinsukia, and Dibrugarh districts, as well as 1 square kilometer in Arunachal Pradesh (East Siang district). A considerable portion of the block is located within the Brahmaputra River.
This development follows a recent Supreme Court decision allowing OIL to withdraw its challenge against the Centre’s denial of its Extended Reach Drilling (ERD) proposal aimed at accessing hydrocarbon reserves beneath the Dibru-Saikhowa National Park, enabling them to submit a new petition.
OIL contended that the drilling infrastructure would be situated outside the protected area, with wells extending approximately 3,500 to 4,000 meters underground.