The Oil and Natural Gas Corporation (ONGC) has discovered natural gas at the MDW-28 well in the deep waters of the Mahanadi Offshore Basin, around 43 km off the Konark coast of Odisha. The well was drilled to a depth of about 1,450 metres.

Gas began flowing after the well was perforated on September 18, 2026, with encouraging flow rates and sustained reservoir pressure. The well is part of ONGC’s ongoing deepwater exploration programme in the basin.

The discovery could contribute to increasing India’s domestic natural gas resources and reducing dependence on imports. However, further testing and appraisal will be needed to assess the size of the resource and its commercial viability.

The drilling is part of India’s broader push to expand offshore oil and gas exploration. ONGC has planned additional deepwater wells in the Mahanadi Basin to assess its hydrocarbon potential.