Tamil Nadu - Ramanathapuram   

"Indications of huge gas reserves in Ramanathapuram"

Staff Reporter

`The exploration survey is still on but the results are encouraging'

RAMANATHAPURAM: The Oil and Natural Gas Commission (ONGC) has found potential zones of natural gas reserves in the district.

This came to light in the ongoing comprehensive oil and gas exploration survey conducted by a team of the Keshava Deva Malaviya Institute of Petroleum Exploration, based at Dehra Dun, country's premier centre for basic and applied exploration.

It is a geophysics division of the Oil and Natural Gas Commission.

The exploration team is heady by J.N. Prabhardu. Dividing into two groups, the team has visited various places of the district to explore possible gas reserves. They study the ground as well as the soil under the gravity magnetic survey.

"Indications of there being a huge potential of gas reserves in many areas of the district are bright," D. Sar, General Manager, Keshava Deva Malaviya Institute of Petroleum Exploration, told The Hindu .

"The exploration survey is still in the initial stage. The exact quantity of gas reserves will be known only after the completion of the survey. But the results are encouraging," he said.

50-km radius

Mr. Sar said all areas coming under the 50-km radius of Ramanathapuram would be covered in the survey. Areas such as Rameswaram, Keelakarai and others would also be covered. The study would explore the short-term and long-term perspective plans. The team would again visit the district for the second stage.

The ONGC has 8 natural gas wells in the eastern parts of Ramanathapuram.

Besides a gas-based power plant owned by the Tamil Nadu Electricity Board, a few private companies have established plants at Valuthur.

Some more private entities evinced keen interest in setting up power plants using gas as raw material. The latest finding is expected to woo more gas-based power companies to the district.

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