Guwahati: The State of Assam contributes approximately 14 per cent of total crude oil production and approximately 10 per cent of total natural gas production in the country, noted the Petroleum & Natural Gas Minister, Hardeep Singh Puri while answering a Starred Question raised by Rajya Sabha M.P. Pabitra Margherita in the parliament on Monday.
Answering the question related to the production of petroleum and natural gas from Assam and also the steps taken by the Government to reduce the import dependence, he further added that the first refinery in Asia was established in Digboi (Assam) in the year 1901, after the commercial scale production of crude oil at Digboi in 1889.
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He informed to the House that during the last four financial years i.e. 2019-20 to 2022-23, the total Royalty paid to the State Government is Rs. 9291 crore for crude oil and Rs. 851 crore for gas production.
He also specifically mentioned the major projects in the North East region valued at Rs. 44,000 crore including the Numaligarh Refinery expansion project, North East Gas Grid, Paradip-Numaligarh crude oil pipeline and NRL Bio refinery etc.
The 2G refinery of 185 klpd capacity at Numaligarh will produce Ethanol from Bamboo and will create huge employment opportunities for local farmers.
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He also informed the House that the entire North Eastern States are being covered under the City Gas Distribution network to provide cheaper and clean cooking/vehicle fuel to the masses.
Petroleum & Natural Gas Minister, Puri informed the House that the Government has reduced the “No Go” areas in the Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) by almost 99 per cent due to which approx 1 million square kilometres are now free for exploration and production activities. The other measures taken by the Government include using the latest technologies, replacing and reviving sick and old wells etc. The Government is infusing Capital Expenditure of approx. Rs. 61,000 crore for increasing production in the coming years.
He also mentioned the transformational steps taken to attract foreign investment in the E&P sector and that the National Oil Companies (ONGC and OIL) have entered into agreements with the International Oil Majors (e.g. ExxonMobil, Chevron, TotalEnergies, Shell, etc) for collaboration.
Puri highlighted the success in achieving the Ethanol blending targets before the due date (from 1.53 per cent in 2014 to 12 per cent in 2023) and that the country is now marching ahead to have flex fuel engine vehicles. E20 (20 per cent Ethanol blended fuel) is already available at more than 6000 Retail Outlets and will be available throughout the country by 2025.
He also mentioned the steps taken by the government to promote alternate sources like CBG, Green Hydrogen, and EVs.
Puri also mentioned about having recently inaugurated the Sui-Ka-Pha Multi Speciality (350 bed) Hospital at Sivasagar, Assam with a total cost of Rs. 483 crore, spent by ONGC under its CSR activities, which will cater to the needs of Upper Assam and neighboring districts of other States.