Vedanta Oil and Gas Limited (VOGL) has brought in Exceed, a Kent-based well management and engineering specialist, to support exploration on its KG-DWHP-2017/1 deepwater block in the Krishna-Godavari (KG) Basin off India's east coast. A multi-well exploration drilling campaign is expected to start early next year.

The agreement turns a long run of seismic and survey work into a drilling program. It puts an outside well team next to VOGL's own for the first deepwater wells the company plans.

What Exceed will do

Under the agreement, Exceed will provide integrated support across the campaign. The scope covers subsurface evaluation, well planning, drilling readiness and operational management. VOGL describes the work as phased, running through project planning, engineering, operational readiness and well execution.

The block

KG-DWHP-2017/1 contains multiple prospects in water depths of roughly 600 meters to 2,000 meters. It already holds four gas discoveries. As part of its exploration strategy, VOGL is evaluating the Vermilion prospect, which it treats as a distinct new play with substantial potential.

VOGL holds over 4,600 sq km of offshore deepwater acreage in the KG Basin. Preparation so far includes:

  • Merging and reprocessing 3,800 sq km of 3D seismic datasets across the block, using advanced seismic processing to improve subsurface imaging.
  • A 3D Controlled Source Electromagnetic (CSEM) survey, completed with EMGS, to further derisk the prospects.
  • A partnership with TechnipFMC to support an integrated subsea infrastructure framework.

More acreage in the same basin

VOGL recently secured two offshore blocks under the DSF IV bidding round, including a deepwater block, KG/DWDSF/GD10/2025, in the KG Basin. The company ties this to the Government of India's Samudra Manthan initiative, which aims to accelerate development of deepwater hydrocarbon resources.

The DSF IV round concluded before the demerger of the oil and gas undertaking of Vedanta Limited. Under the NCLT-approved scheme, an application will be filed with the MoPNG and DGH to transfer the participating interest in the DSF IV blocks from Vedanta Limited to the demerged entity, Vedanta Oil and Gas Limited, formerly MALCO Energy Limited.

What the executives said

Jim Johnny Gast, interim CEO of Vedanta Oil & Gas, called the move into deepwater exploration "a defining milestone" for the company. He said VOGL is pairing Exceed's global deepwater expertise with its own execution capabilities.

Ian Mills, Exceed's managing director, said the aim is a safe, efficient and value-driven exploration campaign.

VOGL also frames the work as support for national efforts to strengthen energy security, raise domestic hydrocarbon production and reduce import dependence.