Operations in Rajasthan Field
OIL has significantly expanded its operational footprint in the state of Rajasthan. OIL commenced exploration for hydrocarbon in the midst of the Thar Desert of Rajasthan in early eighties. Rajasthan Project (RP) was set up in 1983, PEL was granted effective from Jan 1985 and the first Seismic Survey was commenced in the same year. This expansion is a testament to OIL’s commitment to meeting the growing energy needs of India and contributing to the economic development of the region. The company has been actively involved in tapping Rajasthan's vast hydrocarbon potential. These areas have emerged as critical zones for oil extraction, with substantial reserves contributing to India's energy security.
Cyclic Steam Stimulation
In order to improve the heavy oil recovery and to enhance crude oil production from its Baghewala Oil Field, OIL-RF is using Cyclic Steam Stimulation as an EOR (Enhanced Oil Recovery) process. OIL aims to exploit heavy oil from Jodhpur Sandstone (Heavy Oil Reservoir with avg. depth of 1150 m) with the state-of-the-art technology called Cyclic Steam Stimulation which is a Thermal EOR process.
The crude oil viscosity is in the range of 10,000-13,000 cP at 50 deg C. The heavy oil is lifted through artificial lift like Sucker Rod Pumping Unit (SRP).
Project set up in 1983.
Petroleum Exploratory License (PEL) awarded in 1985 for two basins.
- 1985 : Started Seismic Survey.
- 1988 : First Exploratory Drilling & Discovery of Tanot Field.
- 1990 : Discovery of Dandewala Field.
- 1994 : Discovery of Bagitibba Field.
- 1996 : Set up of DND-GPC.
- 1985 : Started Seismic Survey.
- 1991 : Discovery of Heavy Crude Oil.
- 2006 : First Pilot CSS.
- 2017 : Commercial Production Started.
- 2017 : 1st Successful CSS.
Rajasthan field is producing heavy crude oil from its Baghewala field since 2017. At present in Baghewala field 35 nos. of wells have already been drilled out of which 23 nos. of wells are in production.
The wells are produced with the help of sucker rod pumps (SRPs) and the produced crude is stored in tanks at individual well locations. The utilization of SRP as an artificial lift technique along with CSS (Cyclic Steam Stimulation) as thermal EOR technique has been found to be the most effective way for the production of heavy oil in Baghewala Field. Accordingly, most of the wells in Baghewala are thermally completed using thermal wellhead, VIT(Vacuum Insulated Tubings) and are produced using conventional as well as hydraulic SRP units.
The crude oil stored in the tanks are heated with the help of steam and hot water generated by Mobile Steam Generator for flowability enhancement and are then pumped onto Bowsers. The crude oil is then transported to ONGCL’s North Santhal CTF at Mehsana, Gujarat for processing and further transportation to IOCL’s Koyali refinery through their pipeline. OIL has a COTA (Crude Oil Transport Agreement) with M/s ONGCL for crude oil handling, processing and transportation. OIL has a COSA (Crude Oil Sales Agreement) with M/s IOCL for crude oil sale.
Rajasthan Fields has a fleet of 02 chartered hired drilling rigs along with dedicated allied services like Cementing & BHP, Directional Drilling & Coring Services.
Drilling in the Bikaner-Nagaur Basin requires innovative approach, round the clock monitoring and a strong domain expertise to counter everyday drilling challenges like loss of circulation, hard formation and stuck pipe.
In an effort towards net zero, various modifications have been carried out to convert critical equipment from engine driven to motor driven thereby reducing Carbon emissions by more than 500 T.
OIL had discovered commercially viable gas fields at Tanot, Dandewala and Bagitibba in Jaisalmer District of Rajasthan. These fields are located at a distance of approx. 120 kms. North-West of Jaisalmer town.
The Dandewala-Gas Processing complex is located about 35 kms from Tanot. Gas produced from the wells at Dandewala and Bagitibba Fields are collected at the central location Dandewala Gas Processing Complex (DND-GPC).
The processed gas are then metered using the custody transfer meter and then despatched to GAIL India Limited for further distribution to final customer RRVUNL. Pipeline Distance from DND – GPC to RRVUNL 65 KM.
The existing Natural Gas process plant of DND-GPC is capable of treating the raw Natural Gas to remove formation water, heavy hydrocarbon and moisture. OIL has a Gas Sale Agreement with M/s GAIL INDIA LIMITED for sale and purchase of natural gas in Rajasthan.
Current Acreage
- OIL has 03 Mining Leases.
- For Heavy Oil - Bhagewala.
- For Gas – Jaisalmer & Bakhritibba Till date, OIL has acquired around 18200 LKM of 2D Seismic Data & 5000 sq. km of 3D Seismic Data. OIL has current acreage of 6868 sq. km in Rajasthan.
- Dandewala field is developed significantly, where 37 wells are drilled so far. Average gas potential is around 0.85 MMSCMD.
- Baghewala field operating under Baghewala PML with an area of 200 sq. km is under development phase. Currently, 35 wells have been drilled so far and the total oil production is above 600 barrels/day.
Future Prospects
- Bakhritibba Area has been acquired in the DSF-lll Round, where drilling is scheduled to start from July 2024. It is expected to come on production in 2024-25.
- Exploitation of Upper Carbonate.
- OALP blocks of Jamba and Nagrasar.
