Port Blair Oct 10: A new chapter in India’s energy story is unfolding beneath the Andaman Sea. In what experts call a potential game-changer, natural gas has been discovered just 17 km off the east coast of the Andaman Islands, hinting at vast untapped reserves beneath the remote archipelago’s seabed.
The exploratory well, drilled at a water depth of 295 metres and reaching 2,650 metres, has confirmed the presence of hydrocarbons. Initial tests between 2,212–2,250 metres showed intermittent gas flaring, and samples sent to Kakinada revealed an 87% methane composition, signalling high-quality natural gas.
Officials said the find could validate long-held geological predictions that the Andaman Basin forms part of the hydrocarbon-rich belt stretching from Myanmar to Indonesia. “This is a landmark moment — the Andaman Basin has finally started to speak,” confirmed the Union Minister of Petroleum and Natural Gas, HS Puri. He said the discovery comes under the Deepwater Mission, launched by Prime Minister Narendra Modi to intensify offshore exploration and reduce India’s dependence on imported energy. Further assessments will determine the gas pool’s commercial potential, with global deepwater majors such as BP, Shell, Petrobras, and ExxonMobil likely to be involved in the next phase.
If viable, the discovery could position the Andamans as India’s next energy frontier, complementing the Krishna-Godavari Basin and spurring investments in seismic surveys, subsea infrastructure, and local development.
Environmental experts have urged caution, warning that deepwater drilling in the ecologically sensitive Andaman Sea must follow stringent safeguards. The Ministry of Petroleum has assured that all operations will adhere to the highest environmental and safety standards. Beyond its strategic value, the discovery could help cut India’s LNG import bill, create jobs, and transform the Andamans into a key node in India’s blue economy — a step closer to true energy self-reliance.
