Kollam port: Fuel exploration to start after contract for facilities; hope in Suresh Gopi's intervention

KOLLAM: Central PSU Oil India will start oil exploration in the offshore Kollam region once the contract for onshore and offshore ancillary services is signed.

Last March, Oil India had signed a contract worth 1252 crores with the leading UK company Dolphin Drilling for the construction of huge wells for exploration. The next step is a coastal service contract for small vessels patrolling to keep boats and other vessels away from the exploration zone, supplying fuel to the exploration vessel, food and drinking water for the crew, and storage of the massive pipeline. These should be done focussed at Kollam Port.

Apart from Kollam, 93.902 sq km area in Andhra's Amalapuram and Konkan coast was handed over to Oil India for mining by the Union Ministry of Petroleum. A contract was signed with the British company for drilling in all three places.

Oil India had discovered the possibility of fuel in Kollam coastal waters in an experimental exploration in 2020. In addition to liquid fuels, gas possibilities are also expected.

26 nautical miles away; Up to a depth of 6000 meters

• The exploration is at a depth of 80 meters below water level, 26 nautical miles from the coast. It will be dug to a depth of about 6000 meters. The construction of the well will consist of a huge platform made of iron. Testing is done by lowering huge pipelines into the wells.
• A state-of-the-art exploration ship will be anchored in this area for observation and supervision
• Well construction will continue for 24 hours without interruption.

Hope in Suresh Gopi's intervention

Suresh Gopi, who was appointed as the Union Minister of State for Petroleum Department, had said that he would examine the possibility of fuel exploration centred on Kollam, his hometown. His intervention will speed up further action.

‘Following the dispute with the Nigerian government, Dolphin Drilling is expected to return and take over Oil India's work soon.’

-Oil India authorities