The company spudded its first shale explor­ation well at Jambusar in November, only two months after the government’s shale exploration gained Cabinet approval.

ONGC plans to drill a total of 10 shale exploration wells in the current fiscal year, starting with the Cambay basin area and then targeting the eastern Cauvery and Krishna Godavari basins.

There are also plans to drill another 20 shale exploration wells during the next financial year, according to ONGC chairman Sudhir Vasudeva.

ONGC