Group General Manager ONGC, Tripura
Mr. Abhijit Mahalanabish

At a time when the Indian economy is undergoing a process of virtual metamorphosis from a state-sponsored mixed economic structure to a market-driven venture ,ONGC holds the key to tiny Tripura's transition from a backdated agro-based economy to a modern and competitive industrial juggernaut. Despite the trials and tribulations of insurgency to which this state has been subjected over the past two decades Tripura looks to ONGC as the beacon of light .None realizes this more acutely than the 'Navaratna' corporation's incumbent Group General Manager (GGM-Tripura Asset) Mr Abhijit Mahalanabish. A graduate engineer from Jalpaiguri, Mahalanabish joined the ONGC in 1976 as an executive engineer and worked his way up the ladder, being awarded the prestigious title of 'Engineer of the year ' by the then chairman of the corporation ,Colonel (retired) S.P.Wahi. Having joined the Tripura Asset of the corporation last year Mr Mahalanabish has already instilled a new sense of pride and urgency in ONGC's work in insurgency-ravazed Tripura. In an intimate interview with tripurainfo.com Mr Mahalanabish dwelt at length on the problems and prospects of the corporation in this tiny 'queen of hills', that is Tripura.

Q1. Sir, what is ONGC's budget this year and how much increase does it show in real terms over the year's allocation? Are you satisfied with it ?

This year's budget is Rs 136.00 crore . About 11 crore increases over the last year budget . I am sure that this budget allocation would cater to the needs of Tripura asset .

Q.No.2: What are the new projects or schemes that the ONGC here is going to undertake or implement in the current financial year?

During the current year ONGC is planning to drill five wells in Tripura in Baramura, Rokhia and Sonamura areas. Also it is planned to acquire 2D and 3D seismic data. 3D data will be acquired for the first time in Tripura. We have also taken action to obtain ISO-14001 certificate for Konaban GCS which is for international standard for environment management systems. It is also planned to upgrade Baramura GCS for higher production capacity. This job will take about 2 years time.

Q3: Do you think that the economic reforms currently being implemented by center is going to have a bearing on ONGC's functioning in Tripura ? If so, how ?

Recently, Govt has announced some reforms in Petroleum sector which has a bearing on the petroleum sector whether it is downstream or upstream .
These reforms are (i) disinvestments of government equity in National Oil companies (ii) Exploration, Production and refining opened to private investment , even 100 percent participation allowed (iii) Dismantling of administered price mechanism (APM) and (iv) New Exploration licencing Policy (NELP) announced by Govt. of India during 1999.
ONGC being an upstream hydrocarbon company, actively engaged in exploration and exploitation and production of Oil and Gas and is affected by these reforms. Due to dismantling of APM, ONGC is getting a better price for it's crude oil and gas production . At the same time ONGC has to compete with MNC/private companies for getting exploration acreages and blocks are offered on same terms and conditions to PSUs and private parties. Since ONGC is operating in all corner of India , including Tripura we are affected by these reforms . Government has already completed awarding of blocks under NELP-I and NELP-II round and has recently announced NELP-IIIrd round in which one block in the eastern part of Tripura has also been offered for exploration bidding. In the earlier scenerio government would have given exploration rights to ONGC on nomination basis for this block but due to NELP now ONGC will be bidding along with other companies for getting exploration right .

Q4: It is known that ONGC here confronts a problem of glut in availability of natural gas in tripura. Why is it not being properly utilized for industrialization in the State? How do you propose to ensure optimum utilization of Natural Gas available in plenty?

ONGC Tripura Asset is having GM production potential of 4.0 MMSCMD. Presently Gas supply of around 1.19 MMSCMD (30%) is being maintained. This may likely to increase upto 1.4 MMSCMD by the end of September, 2002. We only produce Gas. GAIL is the authority to marketing it and supply the gas as per demand by the various organizations.

i) Natural Gas can be utilized as feed stock: Urea and Methanol,Ammonia & Urea, Urea and PVC, liquid & socio Hydrocarbon plant, petrochemical.
ii) Natural Gas for use as Fuel: Open cycle turbines, combined cycle power projects, CNG as alternative Fuel for vehicles, domestic and industrial (City Gas project),Brick kilns, Rice mills, Dairy, Bakery, Tyre & Tube manufacturing unit, Tea industry etc.

Q5: During the past three decades of ONGC's operations here people have often heard of ONGC striking oil which has so far remained elusive. What is the real prospect of finding Oil in Tripura and why does not ONGC go for deep drilling?

The Structures of A & AA Basin, Tripura contains Gas reserves. However, 5 deep wells already drilled and Oil was not struck in any well. For High pressure gas oils normally not available.

Q.6: The ONGC in Tripura confronts, as do all other public and private organizations, the problem of insecurity because of insurgency. How serious is the problem and how is it affecting the corporation's functioning here?

It effects the following way:
a) Restricted movement of men and material affecting performance and causing delays.
b) Area of operations restricted.
c) Costly equipments from gas wells stolen/tampered by miscreants.
d) Prohibitive expenditure on security restricting expansion activities of the Asset.
e) Fear of being kidnapped.
f) Assault on security forces for arms & ammunition.
g) Likely to affect further surveys and exploration work.

Q.No.7: How many ONGC personnel have so far been killed by militants and how many kidnapped for ransom? What happened to the kidnapped persons?

Since 1992 to till date 30 people died in insurgent incidents in ONGC Tripura Asset. The details are furnished below:-

Q.No.8: What is your message to potential investors from outside?

Tripura state is blessed with abundant natural resources particularly natural Gas. In the present world with modern technology natural gas is fast emerging as important source and substitute to other forms of energy. Natural Gas, that is available in Tripura can meet the entire energy requirement of Tripura. There is a great opportunity for potential investor to establish gas based industries.Natural Gas plays a predominant role in energy requirement of Tripura. It can change the complete economic scenario of the state, generate employment as well as improve living condition of the people there giving a boost to the state economy. Moreover, Industry Dept.of Tripura Govt is giving special soft financial loan to the interested entrepreneurs.