Cairn commenced exploration drilling in Rajasthan

NEW DELHI: Cairn India has commenced drilling of the first exploration well on Monday, following endorsement of the exploration work programme for the Rajasthan block by the management committee two weeks ago.

The company started exploration drilling after a gap of more than four
years, in the prolific Barmer oilfields, Cairn said in a statement.

"This is pursuant to the clarity in policy by the government, allowing
for exploration operations in development blocks. This has enabled
Cairn India to commence its planned aggressive exploration drilling
programme to help harness the full potential of the Barmer Basin in
Rajasthan,"" it said.

Renewed exploration activity in the block will be beneficial for all
stakeholders and will help us realise the estimated half a billion

barrels of oil equivalent of risked recoverable prospective resource
which amounts to about a third of the estimated ultimate recovery
potential in the Rajasthan block, it said.

This will help the Cairn and ONGC joint venture to realise the basin
production potential of 300,000 bopd from the block, it said.

The JV is currently producing 170,000 -175,000 bopd from the Rajasthan
block with a strong focus on exiting the year FY 2013-14 at a
production rate of 200,000-215,000 bopd from the block.