State-owned ONGC has got environmental clearance for drilling 45 development wells and other related infrastructure involving a cost of over Rs 53,000 crore in the Krishna-Godavari basin in Andhra Pradesh. It is expected that the proposed development drilling and subsequent development of fields would lead to production of 51.33 billion cubic metres of gas over a period of 16 years and 26.71 million cubic metres of oil in 12 years, he said.

Among specific conditions, ONGC has been asked to obtain CRZ (coastal regulation zone) clearance, approval from directorate general of shipping for commencement of drilling, and comply with all recommendations and conditions specified by AP Coastal Zone Management Authority. ONGC has also been asked to use high efficiency diesel generator sets, adopt conservation measures to protect marine life, etc.

The operational area in KG Basin, Rajahmundry, covers an area of 28,000 sq km onland and 1,45,000 sq km offshore, including deep waters. This is a unique basin in the sense that hydrocarbons have been discovered both in on land and offshore parts of the basin.