Parliament Question: Status of oil and gas exploration in South 24 Parganas, West Bengal

GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF PETROLEUM AND NATRURAL GAS RAJYA SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO -301 ANSWERED ON - 02/02/2026 STATUS OF OIL AND GAS EXPLORATION IN SOUTH 24 PARGANAS, WEST BENGAL 301 SHRI SAMIK BHATTACHARYA: Will the Minister of PETROLEUM AND NATURAL GAS be pleased to state: (a) whether Government has undertaken or proposed any oil and gas exploration activities in South 24 Parganas district of State of West Bengal, including onshore, shallow offshore or deltaic areas of Bengal Basin; (b) details of seismic surveys, exploratory or appraisal wells, if any, conducted in district during the last five years and the findings thereof; (c) whether any hydrocarbon reserves—oil or natural gas—have been assessed or estimated in South 24 Parganas, block-wise and present status of such assessments; and (d) whether the area forms part of any awarded exploration blocks under NELP or OALP and if so, the operators and stage of exploration? ANSWER THE MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF PETROLEUM AND NATURAL GAS (SHRI SURESH GOPI) (a) to (d): One hydrocarbon exploration block in South 24 Parganas district of West Bengal in Bengal Basin, namely BP-ONHP-2018/1, was awarded to Oil and Natural Gas Corporation Limited (ONGC) under the Open Acreage Licensing Policy (OALP) Bid Round-III in 2019. Out of total Block Area of 2,468 sq.km., block area of 1,190 sq.km. falls within South 24 Parganas district. During the last five years, the seismic coverage within South 24 Parganas district comprises approximately 625 sq. km of 3D seismic data and 350 line-km of 2D seismic data. Out of the seven (7) committed exploratory wells in the block, one well (Deganga 2) has been drilled in North 24 Parganas district. As on date, no oil or natural gas discovery has been reported from the South 24 Parganas district under the OALP regime. ****