Oil India Limited’s senior officials on Monday requested the Arunachal Pradesh government for early issuance of forest clearances (FC) for the identified oil blocks in the state so that environment clearance can be obtained from the central ministry to begin survey and exploration.
A team of senior OIL officers led by Resident Chief Executive Pranjit Deka during a meeting with Chief Minister Pema Khandu here informed that there are seven oil blocks of interest in the State mostly in the eastern parts, which also share boundaries with Assam.
“As parts of few of these blocks fall in reserve forest or wildlife sanctuaries, exploration in these parts are yet to start for want of requisite clearances. While OIL’s Petroleum Exploration License (PEL) for the Namchik and Jairampur extension blocks are still valid, the licenses for the Demoali block is under process with the Union Ministry of Petroleum & Natural Gas,” the official informed.
They said that with availability of fossil fuel in the region the company is ready to enhance its production, which would subsequently increase the revenue generating capacity of the State government, an official communiqué informed.
The officials explained in detail activities of the petroleum company in Arunachal Pradesh, its plans and proposals and issues wherein the state government’s cooperation was required.
According to the officials, the company has paid about Rs 50 million to the State government as royalty in the last financial year. With the increase in production levels, they said, this would shoot up in coming years.
Giving the status on the proposed cross-country pipeline project that would start from Kumchai (Kharsang) in Arunachal Pradesh to OILs Duliajan FGS in Assam, the officials said that a detail project report including soil survey and cadastral land survey would be submitted to the state government by the second week of October next.
The proposed cross country pipeline would cover a distance of 60 kms of which 18.85 kms would be within Arunachal territory. The chief minister assured the OIL officials of all cooperation and support in their endeavors in the state. He said his office is always open to any coordination and support required by OIL while directing the concerned department to fast-track the issuance of forest clearances wherever needed.
Khandu pointed that the state government is giving top priority in investment, employment and revenue generation in which companies like OIL could become important allies. “Geology and mining is a very important sector that has not drawn much attention of the government in the past. But today we are aware of its huge potential and we are opening up in a big way for exploration and tapping it for a better future of our people,” the chief minister said.
When informed that OIL has about 20 officials from Arunachal in its hierarchy besides several skilled and trained technicians, Khandu expressed gratitude and expressed hope that with expansion of its activities in the State, OIL would offer more and better employment opportunities to youths of the State, the communiqué added.
