Oil India's latest gas find could unlock more hydrocarbon reserves in Andaman offshore

📌 Summary:

• State-owned Oil India Ltd (OIL) reported its second natural gas discovery in the Andaman offshore region, at the Vijayapuram-3 exploratory well — about 15 km off the east coast of the Andaman Islands at a water depth of 355 metres
• Announced by Petroleum and Natural Gas Minister Hardeep Singh Puri (June 5, 2026); follows OIL's earlier Vijayapuram-2 gas strike of September 2025
• Two of three exploratory wells drilled so far have confirmed hydrocarbons; gas was confirmed via continuous flaring at depths over 1,900 m in the Eocene formation
• Linked to the Samudra Manthan Mission (National Deep Water Exploration Mission) announced by PM Modi on Independence Day 2025, planning numerous deepwater/ultra-deepwater wells
• OIL acquired ~600 sq km of additional 3D seismic data for appraisal; consecutive finds mark the Andaman basin as a promising new energy frontier and boost energy security

🎯 UPSC Relevance: GS3 (energy security, hydrocarbon exploration, infrastructure, reducing import dependence)

📝 Prelims Facts:

• Vijayapuram-3 well: ~15 km off Andaman east coast, 355 m water depth; gas in Eocene formation below 1,900 m
• Samudra Manthan / National Deep Water Exploration Mission announced Independence Day 2025
• OIL is a state-owned (Maharatna) exploration & production company

🔑 Key Term: Fully Accessible deepwater exploration — drilling for oil/gas in offshore zones beyond shallow waters, often below 1,000 m, requiring specialised technology.