ONGC Begins Gas Production from Chinnewala Tibba Field in Rajasthan

India’s state-owned Oil and Natural Gas Corporation (ONGC) has commenced natural gas production from the Discovered Small Field (DSF-II) block RJ/ONDSF/Chinnewala/2018, also known as the Chinnewala Tibba field, marking a significant milestone in the Rajasthan Kutch Onland Exploratory Asset (RKOEA).

The field, located near the Indo-Pakistan border in western Rajasthan and covering an area of about 73 square kilometres, has now entered the production stage. ONGC is initially producing around 100,000 standard cubic metres of gas per day, contributing to India’s domestic supply at a time when the nation is focused on reducing energy imports.

The gas produced from Chinnewala Tibba is being evacuated to Rajasthan Rajya Vidyut Utpadan Nigam Ltd (RRVUNL) in Ramgarh through ONGC’s Gamnewala Gas Collection Station (GCS). This direct supply will support local power generation, enhancing electricity reliability for Rajasthan while ensuring that the gas is consumed near its source, reducing transmission losses.

The development of this field is a result of India’s DSF policy, which was introduced to monetise smaller, discovered fields quickly through faster approvals and streamlined processes. Chinnewala Tibba is an example of how this initiative is helping unlock untapped resources, transforming them into commercially viable production in record time.

While the current output is modest on a national scale, it is strategically important. The gas not only strengthens local energy availability but also demonstrates ONGC’s ability to operationalise DSF-II assets effectively. Industry observers also note that production from this field could be scaled up in the future as infrastructure and demand grow.

Why it matters

• Boost to local power supply: Gas evacuation directly to RRVUNL Ramgarh ensures reliable electricity generation for Rajasthan.

• Supports energy security: Adds to India’s domestic production, reducing dependence on costly imports.

• Policy success story: DSF-II is delivering results by bringing discovered but undeveloped resources into production.

In short, the start of gas production from Chinnewala Tibba is a small but significant step in strengthening India’s energy security and demonstrating the effectiveness of policy-driven resource monetisation.