New Delhi: State-owned Oil India Limited (OIL) announced on Friday that it has discovered natural gas in its third exploratory well in the Andaman shallow offshore region, strengthening evidence of the area’s hydrocarbon potential.
In a regulatory filing, OIL stated that natural gas was encountered at the Vijayapuram-3 exploratory well, located about 15 km off the eastern coast of the Andaman Islands in waters approximately 355 metres deep. The well lies within an offshore block awarded under the Open Acreage Licensing Policy (OALP).
According to the company, initial production testing conducted at a depth exceeding 1,900 metres within the Eocene formation confirmed the presence of natural gas through sustained flaring. Following perforation, the well exhibited an immediate pressure build-up and began producing gas.
OIL further noted that gas samples are currently being analyzed to determine their composition and calorific value, while isotope studies are being carried out to better understand the gas’s origin.
The latest discovery marks the second hydrocarbon find in OIL’s three exploratory wells in the Andaman offshore block. The company had previously reported the presence of natural gas in its second exploratory well, Vijayapuram-2, in September 2025.
