Cairn gets environment clearance to hike output from Rajasthan block.

The Ministry of Environment and Forests has given environment clearance to Cairn India to raise crude oil production from its prolific Rajasthan block by 50% to 300,000 barrels per day.

In an August 11 order posted on its website, the Ministry also gave environment clearance to Cairn to produce up to 165 million standard cubic feet per day of natural gas from the Barmer basin block.

'The Ministry of Environment and Forests has examined your application. It is noted that the proposal is for augmentation of hydrocarbon production (from 200,000 bpd to 300,000 bpd) and 165 mmscfd natural gas in RJ-ON-90/1 block, Barmer and Jalore Districts, Rajasthan.

'The Ministry of Environment and Forests hereby accords environmental clearance to the above project under the provisions of EIA notification,' the order said.

'The Ministry of Environment and Forests hereby accords environmental clearance to the above project under the provisions of EIA notification,' the order said.

The Ministry noted that the hydrocarbon resource potential of the Rajasthan block is estimated at 7.3 billion barrels of oil equivalent and the estimated cost of project is Rs. 16,000 crore.

According to the proposal, Cairn will develop 205 well pads for additional production/injection/EOR wells and evacuation infrastructure.

'Land requirement for terminal expansion will be 344 hectare,' the order said.


BS