ONGC Tripura achieves a major green milestone by replacing 70% diesel with CNG in drilling rigs, cutting emissions, lowering costs, boosting energy security, and supporting Aatmanirbhar Bharat through sustainable oil and gas exploration practices.
Oil and Natural Gas Corporation (ONGC) has marked a significant technological and environmental milestone by successfully operating New Generation drilling rigs on Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) at its Tripura Asset, replacing nearly 70 percent of conventional diesel consumption. The achievement positions ONGC as a pioneer in India’s upstream oil and gas sector in adopting cleaner fuel solutions for core exploration operations.
According to officials, the innovative initiative was executed using CNG cascades sourced from domestically produced natural gas, ensuring uninterrupted energy supply to high-capacity drilling rigs. Importantly, the transition has been achieved without any compromise on engine performance, operational efficiency, or safety standards, demonstrating the technical viability of natural gas as a reliable alternative fuel in heavy industrial applications.
The replacement of diesel with CNG has led to a substantial reduction in carbon emissions, particulate matter, and other harmful greenhouse gases typically associated with diesel-powered drilling operations. This shift significantly enhances the environmental sustainability of ONGC’s exploration activities, particularly in ecologically sensitive regions like the Northeast.
Beyond environmental benefits, the initiative has also resulted in notable cost savings. Diesel fuel accounts for a major portion of drilling operational expenses, and substituting it with natural gas has lowered overall fuel costs. This dual advantage of cost efficiency and emission reduction strengthens ONGC’s long-term operational resilience.
The move also directly supports India’s national objectives of energy security and reduced dependence on imported fossil fuels. By utilizing domestically available natural gas, ONGC is reinforcing the government’s Aatmanirbhar Bharat vision, which emphasizes self-reliance, indigenous resources, and sustainable industrial growth.
ONGC officials stated that the success of the Tripura project underscores the immense potential of natural gas as a transition fuel. While renewable energy remains a long-term goal, natural gas offers a practical and immediate pathway to reduce emissions from conventional hydrocarbon operations without disrupting production.
The project aligns closely with India’s climate commitments under international frameworks aimed at lowering carbon intensity and promoting cleaner energy systems. It also demonstrates how legacy energy companies can innovate within existing infrastructure to meet evolving environmental standards.
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Industry experts believe that ONGC’s successful deployment of CNG-powered drilling rigs could serve as a replicable model for other onshore and offshore assets across the country. If scaled up, the initiative could significantly reduce the carbon footprint of India’s oil and gas exploration sector.
With this breakthrough, ONGC has reaffirmed its role as a responsible energy major, balancing the demands of national energy supply with environmental stewardship. The Tripura initiative stands as a landmark example of how technological innovation can drive sustainable transformation in traditionally carbon-intensive industries.
