Oil India discovers low-carbon gas reserve in Rajasthan
Discovery marks first confirmed presence of natural gas in the shallower Sanu Formation within the Dandewala field
Amid the energy crisis owing to the West Asia disruption, India’s push towards energy self-sufficiency has received a boost after the state-run Oil India Limited discovered a new natural gas reserve in Rajasthan’s Dandewala field in Jaisalmer district.
The discovery marks the first confirmed presence of natural gas in the shallower Sanu Formation within the Dandewala field, a development being seen as a significant breakthrough for India’s domestic energy security and cleaner fuel transition.
Clean energy source
According to reports, the newly discovered reserve has an estimated production capacity of around 25,000 standard cubic metres of gas per day. Experts believe the find could help reduce India’s dependence on imported fuel resources while strengthening exploration prospects in western Rajasthan.
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One of the major advantages of the newly discovered gas is its relatively low carbon dioxide content, making it a higher-quality and cleaner energy resource compared to several conventional hydrocarbon reserves.
Energy experts say the lower carbon emissions associated with the gas make it suitable for cleaner fuel applications as India attempts to gradually transition towards more sustainable energy sources.
Emerging energy hub
Union Petroleum Minister Hardeep Singh Puri confirmed the development in a post on social media platform X, describing it as an important milestone for the hydrocarbon sector in Rajasthan.
He noted that western Rajasthan has increasingly emerged as a strategic energy hub over the past several years due to multiple oil and gas discoveries across the region.
The successful unlocking of the new gas zone is expected to accelerate further exploration and production activities in adjoining parts of the Jaisalmer Basin.
Hydrocarbon projects
Industry observers believe the discovery may encourage additional investments and surveys in the desert region, which already hosts several major hydrocarbon projects.
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Officials said engineers and geoscientists from Oil India carried out extensive geological studies and hydrocarbon evaluations before successfully achieving gas flow from the formation.
Rajasthan already plays a crucial role in India’s oil and gas landscape, with desert districts emerging as key centres for hydrocarbon exploration and energy infrastructure development.