Question

Answer the following question in about 150 words.

Write a detailed note on the Petroleum resources of India.

Answer 1

Crude petroleum consists of liquid and gaseous hydrocarbons found within the sedimentary rocks of the Tertiary period. It serves as an essential fuel source for internal combustion engines and provides vital raw materials for petrochemical by-products. Systematic exploration began after the establishment of the Oil and Natural Gas Commission (ONGC) in 1956, breaking the monopoly of Digboi in Assam, which was India’s only oil-producing area until then. Today, major onshore oil fields in Assam include Digboi, Naharkatiya, and Moran, while Gujarat hosts key fields at Ankleshwar, Kalol, and Mehsana.

The discovery of Mumbai High in 1973 (commencing production in 1976), located 160 km offshore, revolutionised India’s petroleum sector. Additionally, vast exploration is active along the east coast in the Krishna-Godavari and Kaveri river basins. Because extracted crude oil contains impurities, it must be refined. India operates two types of oil refineries: field-based refineries located close to the source (such as Digboi) and market-based refineries located near consumption centres (such as Barauni).