India has confirmed a significant natural gas discovery in the Andaman basin, a development that could reshape the nation’s deepwater energy ambitions. Union Petroleum Minister Hardeep Singh Puri hailed the find as “an ocean of energy opportunities,” underscoring its potential to boost energy self-reliance.
The discovery was made at the Sri Vijayapuram-2 well, located 17 km off the Andaman coast. Drilled at a water depth of 295 metres and reaching 2,650 metres below the seabed, the well yielded promising results during initial testing. Gas samples analyzed in Kakinada revealed 87% methane content, confirming the quality of hydrocarbons present.
“While the commercial viability and the size of the pool will be established in the coming months, this validates India’s long-standing belief in the Andaman basin’s potential,” Puri said. He noted that the find aligns with similar gas-rich discoveries across Myanmar and Indonesia, which share the same geological belt.
The announcement follows Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s unveiling of the ‘Samudra Manthan’ mission, a national deepwater exploration programme designed to accelerate offshore oil and gas discovery. The mission is central to India’s strategy to cut import dependence and expand domestic energy security.
Industry experts suggest the Andaman discovery could open doors for collaboration with global exploration leaders, including Petrobras, BP, Shell, and ExxonMobil. “This occurrence of natural gas will help India advance its exploration ambitions and marks a milestone in our journey through Amrit Kaal,” Puri added.
The find strengthens India’s case for diversifying energy sources while supporting economic growth and clean energy transition goals. Analysts, however, caution that commercial feasibility studies and infrastructure development will be crucial to determine its long-term impact on India’s energy mix.
