ONGC resumes oil exploration in Gop block, Puri after fifteen months of halt

Following a sudden cessation of operations at Kusupur for 15-months, the Oil and Natural Gas Corporation (ONGC) began drilling at Chitra village under Gop block in Puri. Starting drilling in the town, the corporation has used cranes, rigs, and heavy-duty tools.

Following a seismic survey of the Mahanadi basin spanning nine coastal districts—Puri, Khurda, Cuttack, Jagatsinghpur, Kendrapara, Jajpur, Bhadrak, Balasore and Ganjam—ONGC discovered two sites under the Gop block in Puri containing gas and petroleum.

The sites were found in villages of Kusupur and Chitra. Meanwhile after paying Rs 1.97 crore to landowner in Kusupur and Rs 1 crore to landowner in Chitra village, it leased eight acre of land in each of the designated villages.

Originally starting at Kusupur on October 20, 2023, initial drilling activities were suddenly stopped after 45 days. Local neighbours were let down when the company then took all equipment from the location. Villagers had expected the initiative would support local young employment creation and assist in region economic development.

When ONGC started work at the second site, their dreams came back alive. The village sarpanch, Sirsh Ranjan, is upbeat about the drilling findings. When contacted, ONGC's public relations officer said he was not permitted to comment on the present state of the project or supply the contact for the official-in-charge.