Image Source: Sentinel (Assam)
Oil and Natural Gas Corporation Limited (ONGC) has officially commenced natural gas sales from the Chinnewala Tibba gas field located in the Rajasthan Kutch Onland Exploratory Asset (RKOEA) as of 25 August 2025. This marks a major milestone not only for ONGC’s Discovered Small Field (DSF-II) initiative but also for India’s broader goal of enhancing domestic energy production and securing energy independence. Situated in Western Rajasthan near the Indo-Pakistan border, the Chinnewala Tibba field covers 73 square kilometers and is part of ONGC’s aggressive strategy to monetize discovered small fields efficiently.
Key Highlights of the Chinnewala Tibba Gas Monetisation
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The commencement of gas sales delivers 100,000 standard cubic meters of natural gas per day (LSCMD), catering to the growing energy demand in the region.
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Gas evacuation to Rajasthan Rajya Vidyut Utpadan Nigam Limited (RRVUNL), Ramgarh, started on the same day through the Gamnewala Gas Collection Station (GCS), marking an integrated approach to feed the regional power grid reliably.
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The achievement was made possible through strong coordination among ONGC, Directorate General of Hydrocarbons (DGH), GAIL, Oil India Limited (OIL), and RRVUNL, underscoring a collaborative framework for energy infrastructure development.
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Senior ONGC leadership, including Director (Strategy & Corporate Affairs) Shri Arunangshu Sarkar and Director (Exploration) Shri Om Prakash Sinha, along with other dignitaries, were present at the inauguration.
Strategic Significance and Location
Located in the geopolitically sensitive Western Rajasthan region close to the international border with Pakistan, the Chinnewala Tibba block is a critical asset with promising natural gas reserves. The field spans an area of 73 sq. km within the Rajasthan Kutch Onland Exploratory Asset. Its development and production signify a success under the Discovered Small Field (DSF-II) policy framework that encourages monetisation of smaller hydrocarbon discoveries, which traditionally face economic challenges under conventional fiscal policies.
Enhancing Regional Energy Requirements
By supplying 1.0 lakh standard cubic meters per day, the project supports Rajasthan’s increasing energy requirements, particularly for power generation. The gas is directly evacuated to RRVUNL, a state government-owned power utility in Ramgarh, thereby strengthening electricity generation infrastructure using cleaner natural gas compared to coal or other fossil fuels. This alignment with cleaner fuel usage supports India’s environmental goals alongside energy security.
Collaborative Ecosystem for Gas Supply Integration
The smooth commencement and integration of Chinnewala Tibba gas into the regional energy grid were made possible by a well-coordinated partnership between ONGC and several key players:
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Directorate General of Hydrocarbons (DGH) provided regulatory oversight and support.
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GAIL India Limited ensured pipeline and gas transportation linkage.
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Oil India Limited (OIL), another major National Oil Company, collaborated on operational matters.
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RRVUNL facilitated market linkage and power sector integration.
Each entity’s role reflects the government’s emphasis on synergy between public sector undertakings to maximize resource utilization.
Importance Under DSF Framework and National Energy Goals
The Discovered Small Field policy aims at speeding up monetisation of smaller hydrocarbon deposits by offering marketing and pricing freedom to operators. ONGC’s success with Chinnewala Tibba is a testament to the DSF-II framework’s impact, enabling ONGC to efficiently extract value from smaller deposits that earlier faced commercial viability issues. This success also underlines ONGC’s reaffirmed commitment to supporting India’s Ministry of Petroleum & Natural Gas (MoP&NG) directives on self-reliance and domestic production enhancement.
Official Statements and Forward Outlook
During the inauguration, ONGC officials highlighted this event as a crucial step in the company’s broader strategy of resource monetisation and enhancing shareholder value while supporting governmental energy security objectives. The focus remains on unlocking domestic energy potential, reducing import dependency, and aligning with India’s vision of a gas-based economy transition.
In summary, the onset of natural gas sales from the Chinnewala Tibba DSF-II block stands as a significant achievement in India’s energy landscape. It exemplifies how policy frameworks, strong institutional collaboration, and the strategic development of smaller hydrocarbon fields can contribute meaningfully to national energy security and sustainable power generation.
Source: News announcement dated 25 August 2025 from Oil and Natural Gas Corporation Limited (ONGC)
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