Punjab Mining and Geology Minister Sh. Barinder Kumar Goyal today asserted that after the discovery of prospects of potash in the state, Punjab now moving towards the exploration for natural gas and oil reserves.
This remarks came after higher officials of the Director General of Hydrocarbon (DGH) under Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas, Government of India and Oil India Limited (OIL) called on the Punjab Mining and Geology Minister here at MGSIPA and sought support for carrying out the proposed survey. The team led by Mr. Ajai Kumar Sharma (HOD, NDR DGH) & Mr. Surendra Kumar Dass (DGM, DGH), along with Mr. Anup Kumar (Executive Director, OIL), Mr. Ratnesh Pandey (Superintending Geophysicist, OIL), Mr. Durgesh Deep Mishra (Party Chief, Asian Energy Services) and Mr. Chaman Singh (Consultant, Seismic operations, Asian Energy Services).
During the meeting, possibilities of hydrocarbon exploration in the state were discussed in detail. The Cabinet Minister was apprised by the officials that as per directions of the Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas, Government of India, Oil India Limited will undertake a 2D seismic survey to identify oil and gas reserves. The officials informed that a high-level scientific advisory committee of the GoI has recommended extensive surveys in unexplored regions of the country for mineral wealth and petroleum resources.
"The Ministry has directed surveys across regions including district Sri Muktsar Sahib, Bathinda, Faridkot, Moga, Jalandhar and Kapurthala of Punjab and Barmer, Sanchore, Jaisalmer and Bikaner-Nagaur basins in Rajasthan along with the Ganga basin and adjoining Punjab areas. In Punjab sub basin, a large-scale 2D seismic survey covering approximately 169 line kilometre will be carried out. The current initiative has been named “Mission Anveshan”, informed Mr. Ajai Sharma.
He clarified that the entire exercise is scientific and exploratory in nature, aimed at generating precise geological data.
Sh. Barinder Kumar Goyal said that this initiative will not only accelerate exploration activities but also help in creating a comprehensive geological data bank, thereby reducing India’s dependence on foreign energy sources and opening new avenues of economic growth for states including Punjab.
The Cabinet Minister assured that Chief Minister S. Bhagwant Singh Mann led Punjab Government will extend full cooperation to ensure timely completion of the survey and will make every possible effort to harness natural resources for the overall development and prosperity of the state. He added that such initiatives will not only strengthen the energy sector but also create new employment opportunities and boost industrial growth in Punjab.
Prominent amongst others who were present in the meeting included Additional Chief Secretary Mines & Geology Mrs. Jaspreet Talwar, Director Mining Mr. Abhijeet Kaplish, Chief Engineer (Mining and Drainage) S. Hardeep Singh Mendiratta and others.