ONGC hits gas in ultra-deep Bay of Bengal

Offshore staff

NEW DELHI, India -- India's state-owned Oil and Natural Gas Corp. has reportedly made an ultra-deep discovery of about 21tcf in the Bay of Bengal, but company official say results will only be announced when conventional tests have concluded.

Industry reports say ONGC drilled well UD-1 using the deepwater drillshipBelford Dolphin and hit gas at a depth of 5,300 m (17,388 ft).

Mud drill tests reportedly indicate another pay zone of 80 m (262 ft) of oil, according to the industry reports.

ONGC will wait for conventional testing results before estimating the size of the discovery.

12/18/2006