IIT (ISM) Dhanbad alumni join ONGC team behind deepwater gas discovery in Mahanadi basin
THE JHARKHAND STORY NETWORK Dhanbad, September 26: Five alumni of IIT (ISM) Dhanbad were part of the multidisciplinary ONGC team involved in…
THE JHARKHAND STORY NETWORK
Dhanbad, September 26: Five alumni of IIT (ISM) Dhanbad were part of the multidisciplinary ONGC team involved in the recent discovery of natural gas in the deepwater Mahanadi Offshore Basin off the Odisha coast, marking another contribution by the institute’s alumni to India’s exploration and energy sector.
ONGC announced the discovery on September 18 at the MN-DW18-1-H-D well, the first well drilled by the company in the Mahanadi Basin under the Government of India’s Samudra Manthan initiative.
The well was drilled to a target depth of 1,623 metres and encountered gas between 1,441 and 1,452 metres. Located around 43 km off Konark, the well has shown encouraging initial flow-test results and sustained reservoir pressure. Further appraisal and evaluation will determine the recoverable resource and commercial potential.
Five IIT (ISM) Alumni Part of ONGC Team
The five IIT (ISM) Dhanbad alumni associated with the ONGC team are:
- Asif MV, B.Tech Petroleum Engineering (2007–2011), Senior Executive (Drilling)
- Kumar Ankit, B.Tech Petroleum Engineering (2009–2013), Senior Executive (Drilling)
- Anil Kumar Badhai, M.Sc. Tech Applied Geology (2015–2018), Senior Geologist
- Bibekananda Barik, M.Sc. Tech Applied Geology (2016–2019), Senior Geologist
- Ankit Chaudhary, B.Tech Mechanical Engineering (2015–2019), Assistant Executive Engineer (Production)
The alumni worked in different professional roles associated with drilling, geological operations and production-related activities, bringing together expertise from petroleum engineering, applied geology and mechanical engineering.
Multidisciplinary Teamwork Behind Discovery
The alumni described the discovery as the result of the collective efforts of a multidisciplinary ONGC team comprising professionals from different technical disciplines and locations across India.
Their participation represents one component of the broader technical and operational effort involved in the exploration programme.
For the five alumni, the discovery is also a moment of pride in their association with IIT (ISM) Dhanbad. They acknowledged the role of their teachers and the institute in providing the technical foundation and professional values that have supported their careers in the energy sector.
Deepwater Exploration Gains Importance
The discovery comes against the backdrop of India’s growing focus on deepwater exploration. According to the information shared by IIT (ISM), the ₹84,000-crore Samudra Manthan initiative has been launched to encourage offshore exploration by reducing exploration risks and drilling costs.
The Mahanadi Basin has emerged as an important area for further exploration following earlier discoveries in the region.
IIT (ISM)’s Petroleum and Geoscience Legacy
The participation of its alumni in the ONGC project also highlights IIT (ISM) Dhanbad’s longstanding contribution to India’s petroleum and geoscience sectors.
The institute’s Department of Petroleum Engineering, established in 1957, focuses on industry-oriented education, practical training and research in areas including drilling, production, reservoir engineering and unconventional energy resources.
IIT (ISM) Dhanbad congratulated its alumni and the ONGC team associated with the discovery, saying the achievement highlights the role of technically trained professionals and multidisciplinary teamwork in advancing India’s exploration capabilities and strengthening its domestic energy resource base.
