India Finds New Gas Zone in Rajasthan’s Dandewala Field

Oil India Limited announced a new natural gas discovery in the nominated Dandewala Field in Jaisalmer district of Rajasthan on 22 May 2026. The discovery is the first successful establishment of natural gas in the shallower Sanu Formation within the Dandewala field.

Dandewala Field and Basin Context

The Dandewala Field is located in western Rajasthan, a region associated with hydrocarbon exploration in the Rajasthan basin. Oil India Limited operates nominated fields in India under the petroleum exploration and production framework.

Discovery Well and Test Data

The discovery well was drilled to a depth of about 950 metres. During testing, it recorded an average natural gas inflow of nearly 25,000 standard cubic metres per day (SCMD). Preliminary estimates place the Gas In Place resources in the new zone at about 75 million standard cubic metres (MMSCM). Gas In Place refers to the total volume of natural gas estimated to be present in a reservoir before production.

Gas Quality and Formation Features

The gas from the new zone has relatively low carbon dioxide content. The Sanu Formation is a shallower geological unit within the Dandewala field and forms part of the sedimentary sequence in western Rajasthan. Union Petroleum and Natural Gas Minister Hardeep Singh Puri referred to the discovery on 23 May 2026. Natural gas is classified as a fossil fuel and is used in power generation, fertiliser production, industrial heating, and city gas distribution.

Important Facts for Exams

• Oil India Limited is a public sector undertaking under the Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas.
• SCMD stands for standard cubic metres per day and is used to measure gas flow during well testing.
• MMSCM stands for million standard cubic metres and is used in gas resource estimation.
• Rajasthan is one of India’s important onshore hydrocarbon exploration regions.

Exploration Significance in Western Rajasthan

The discovery adds a new gas-bearing zone within the Dandewala field in Jaisalmer district. Further exploration and production activity in western Rajasthan may use the new zone for additional appraisal drilling and reservoir evaluation.