Product

Rajasthan Crude Oil: Overview and Key Details

Rajasthan has emerged as a major onshore crude oil producer in India, with significant reserves and production concentrated in the western part of the state, notably in the Barmer-Sanchore Basin.

Production and Reserves

• National Significance: Rajasthan is the second-largest onshore producer of crude oil in India, contributing about 15–23% of the country’s total crude oil output in recent years.
• Annual Output: Production in recent years has ranged from 5.9 to 7 million metric tonnes per annum (MMTPA).
• Major Fields: The most significant oil fields are the Mangala, Bhagyam, and Aishwariya fields, collectively known as the Mangala Area, operated by Cairn India (Vedanta Group) in partnership with ONGC.
• Barmer-Sanchore Basin: As of March 2024, a total of 705.54 million barrels of crude oil had been produced from this basin since production began in 2009.

Oil Properties:

• API Gravity: Rajasthan crude, especially from Mangala, has an API gravity of 25–30, making it heavier than Brent crude (38 API).
• Waxy Nature: The oil is notably waxy, with a pour point of 42°C (compared to Brent’s 3°C), meaning it solidifies at room temperature and requires heating for transport and processing.
• Recovery Factor: The recovery rate is around 30% due to the oil’s waxiness, with enhanced oil recovery (EOR) methods being explored to improve yields.