OIL finds heavy oil deposits in Rajasthan
Oil India Ltd (OIL) has found 130 mm tons of "heavy oil deposits" at Baghawala sandy desert area in Rajasthan's
Barmer district. OIL is planning to dig 60 wells to locate the exact site of heavy oil, N.K. Bharali, General Manager
(HR & BD), told.
The company, which is working in the area for a decade has already dug three wells there, he said, adding experts
from Venezuela will also join the exploration work.
OIL got six blocks for gas or crude oil exploration in Jaisalmer under the New Exploration Licensing Policy (NELP),
and the processing and interpretation work are underway, N.K. Agarwal, group manager (Audit) said.
The company has spent Rs 100 crores on acquisition of data process on the six blocks, and is planning to undertake
three new blocks (in addition to existing six), Agarwal said.
On a question on whether a petro refinery in Barmer where CAIRN and ONGC started crude oil production is possible,
Bharali said, "We are not competent to comment on others' work, but reviewing crude oil output, it is not an economic
proposition to set up any refinery there".
"There should be at least 9 mm tons of crude oil production per year for any refinery. Barmer's present output would
not match the refinery planning", Bharali said.
