Drilling begins on first appraisal well in Mahanadi offshore basin
Petroleum Minister Hardeep Singh Puri marked the start of drilling (spudding) of MN-DWN18-1-HD, the first appraisal well in the Mahanadi Offshore Basin, on 25 July 2026.
Summary
MN-DWN18-1-HD is the first of four planned deepwater wells to evaluate the Mahanadi Offshore Basin, which the Minister described as one of India's most prospective offshore basins. Puri called it the start of a new chapter in India's energy security and credited a decade of reforms, including the Hydrocarbon Exploration and Licensing Policy (HELP), for transforming exploration and production.
Key facts
- Well
- MN-DWN18-1-HD – first appraisal well
- Basin
- Mahanadi Offshore Basin
- Programme
- First of four planned deepwater wells
- Date
- 25 July 2026
- Minister
- Hardeep Singh Puri, Petroleum and Natural Gas
- Reform cited
- Hydrocarbon Exploration and Licensing Policy (HELP)
Practice MCQs 2 questions
The appraisal well MN-DWN18-1-HD, whose drilling began on 25 July 2026, is in which basin?
Show answer
Correct answer: C — Mahanadi Offshore Basin
MN-DWN18-1-HD is the first appraisal well in the Mahanadi Offshore Basin.
MN-DWN18-1-HD is the first of how many planned deepwater wells to evaluate the Mahanadi Offshore Basin?
Show answer
Correct answer: A — Four
It is the first of four planned deepwater wells.