News Desk: India’s efforts to strengthen domestic energy production have received a major boost with the discovery of natural gas off the east coast of the Andaman Islands. The find, made by state-owned Oil India Limited (OIL), is being viewed as a significant milestone in the exploration of the largely untapped Andaman Basin and could play an important role in enhancing the country’s long-term energy security.
Discovery in the Andaman Sea
Oil India recently confirmed the presence of natural gas in an exploratory offshore well drilled in the Andaman Sea. The discovery was made at the Sri Vijayapuram-2 (Vijayapuram-2) well, located around 17 kilometres from the shoreline on the eastern coast of the Andaman Islands. The well was drilled in water depths of about 295 metres and reached a target depth of approximately 2,650 metres.
Initial production testing conducted between depths of 2,212 and 2,250 metres established the presence of natural gas. Laboratory analysis of gas samples showed methane content of around 87 per cent, confirming the hydrocarbon discovery. The find marks one of the most significant breakthroughs in India’s offshore exploration programme in recent years.
Congratulations @OilIndiaLimited !
An ocean of energy opportunities reinforced in the Andaman Sea!
Very happy to report the presence of natural gas in Sri Vijayapuram-3 an exploratory well drilled by Oil India Ltd. 15 km off the east coast of the Andaman Islands at a water… pic.twitter.com/j6QvWqZkFx— Hardeep Singh Puri (@HardeepSPuri) June 5, 2026
Growing Confidence in the Andaman Basin
The discovery reinforces long-standing geological assessments that the Andaman Basin may hold substantial hydrocarbon resources. The basin lies within a larger petroleum-rich belt stretching from Myanmar in the north to Indonesia in the south, where several commercially successful gas fields have already been developed.
Exploration activities by Oil India and the Oil and Natural Gas Corporation (ONGC) have intensified in the region under India’s Open Acreage Licensing Policy (OALP). The latest find is expected to encourage further drilling and seismic studies across the basin.
Fuelling the Future: Natural Gas Found at Sri Vijayapuram-3, 15 km Off Andaman Coast – Union Minister for Petroleum & Natural Gas Hardeep Singh Puri
The find by Oil India Limited underscores the Andaman Sea’s ‘significant energy potential’ and represents a successful outcome in… pic.twitter.com/DEO3DNpoO1
— RT_India (@RT_India_news) June 5, 2026
Strategic Importance for India
India remains heavily dependent on imports for its energy requirements, importing a large share of its crude oil and a significant portion of its natural gas demand. Any commercially viable domestic gas discovery has the potential to reduce import dependence, improve energy security, and strengthen the country’s economic resilience.
Energy experts believe that while the current discovery is encouraging, additional appraisal drilling and reservoir studies will be required to determine the size of the gas reserves and assess their commercial viability. The process of developing offshore infrastructure and bringing the resource into production could take several years.
Recent Progress in Exploration
The latest announcement follows a series of encouraging developments in the Andaman offshore block. Oil India recently reported natural gas presence in another exploratory well in the same region, indicating growing hydrocarbon potential across the basin. These discoveries are strengthening confidence that the Andaman Sea could emerge as an important future source of domestic energy.
Looking Ahead
While commercial production remains some distance away, the discovery represents a significant step forward in India’s quest for energy self-reliance. If further exploration confirms sizeable reserves, the Andaman Basin could become a key contributor to India’s natural gas supply in the coming decades.
The discovery also highlights the increasing importance of offshore exploration as India seeks to meet rising energy demand while reducing dependence on imported fuels. As appraisal and development activities continue, the Andaman Basin is expected to remain a focal point of India’s energy strategy.
