Gas Deposits Found in Mizoram

Aizawl, Dec 14 : Though it is yet to be officially announced, the Oil and Natural Gas Corporation (ONGC) has struck gas deposits near Hortoki village in northwest Mizoram, according to officials of the state geology and mineral resources department.

The ONGC chief geologist, C Chakraborty, also confirmed that 'commercially viable' hydrocarbon deposits have been discovered, but refused to reveal the amount of gas found.

He said the details of the discovery would be revealed within a fortnight, adding the prospective locations comprise over 4,000 sq km in the northwestern part of the state.

State geology and mineral resources department officials said Mizoram, sandwiched between Myanmar and Bangladesh, both of which are rich in hydrocarbon, falls under category number one or 'proven commercial productivity zone'.

A senior geologist said according to rough estimates, there could be about 170 million metric ton of crude reserves in the state.

The ONGC started looking for hydrocarbon deposits in Hortoki and Meidum areas of Kolasib district along the Mizoram-Assam border in February this year. After a global tender was floated, several exploratory giants, both in the country and abroad, were selected to take up hydrocarbon exploration at different locations in Mizoram.