The state-run GAIL India will conduct exploration and production of mineral crude oil, natural gas, and coal bed methane (CBM) in the 486.39 square kilometre Barmer-Jaisalmer block.
The block has been allotted to GAIL India for three plus nine months in the seventh cycle under the Open Acreage Licensing Policy. The exploration licence was issued on the recommendation of the Union petroleum and gas ministry.
Rajasthan is one of the top oil producers in the country's inland. It produces approximately 100,000 barrels of crude oil and 4.1 to 4.4 million cubic metres of gas per day. ONGC and Oil India are currently producing petroleum and gas in Barmer and Jaisalmer. ONGC has nine licences, while Oil India has two.
Similarly, Vedanta has received nine exploration licences, followed by Oil India (5) and ONGC and GAIL India with one each.
Agarwal stated that exploration was also taking place in Bikaner and Sriganganagar.
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