India Discovers Natural Gas in Andaman Sea at a Depth of 2,212 to 2,250 Meters, High Methane Content Found at Sri Vijayapuram-2 Well

In a major boost to India’s energy prospects, Union Minister Hardeep Singh Puri announced the discovery of natural gas in the Andaman Sea at the Sri Vijayapuram-2 well, located just 17 kilometers off the eastern coast of the Andaman Islands. Initial tests conducted at a depth of 2,212 to 2,250 meters revealed gas with 87% methane content, highlighting its high quality and potential economic viability.

The find marks the first confirmed natural gas discovery in the Andaman Sea, a region that has so far remained largely underexplored for hydrocarbons. Minister Puri described the discovery as a potential “game-changer” for India’s energy security, drawing comparisons with significant oil finds in countries like Guyana.

Scale and Strategic Importance

While the exact volume of the newly discovered reserves is yet to be quantified, experts suggest that the Sri Vijayapuram-2 well could emerge as a significant addition to India’s offshore gas portfolio. Currently, India’s proven natural gas reserves stand at approximately 1,094 billion cubic meters (BCM), with major deposits concentrated in the Western and Eastern Offshore basins.

The high methane content of this discovery makes it especially suitable for industrial and domestic use, reducing reliance on imported liquefied natural gas (LNG) and strengthening India’s self-reliance in energy. Plans are already underway to enhance LNG import capacity by 27% to 66.7 million metric tons per year by 2030, but domestic discoveries like this could reduce the country’s dependence on imports.

Comparison with Global Gas Reserves

Globally, India’s reserves remain modest compared to the world’s largest deposits. Russia leads with 47.8 trillion cubic meters (TCM), followed by Iran with 33.7 TCM and Qatar with 24.1 TCM. While India’s reserves are smaller in scale, the strategic location and quality of the Sri Vijayapuram-2 find could elevate India’s standing in the regional energy landscape and open new avenues for exploration in the Andaman Sea.

The discovery underscores India’s push to strengthen domestic energy production, reduce import dependency, and secure strategic resources in underexplored regions. Analysts suggest that further exploration in the Andaman Sea could reveal additional significant reserves, potentially transforming India’s energy outlook.

With high-quality methane gas now confirmed, the Sri Vijayapuram-2 well positions India to not only meet domestic demand more effectively but also to expand its influence in the regional energy sector. Officials have indicated that detailed assessments and further drilling will follow to fully ascertain the size and potential of this offshore gas field.