CHENNAI: The Oil and Natural Gas Corporation Limited (ONGC) on Wednesday distanced itself from the controversial hydrocarbon project in Neduvasal village. Submitting its reply before the National Green Tribunal after prolonged delay, the company noted that there was a revenue sharing contract signed between the Union govenrment and GEM Laboratories Limited. ONGC has nothing to do with the hydrocarbon exploitation in Neduvasal village.
Based on the past exploration activities of ONGC, it is known there are potential hydrocarbon bearing locations near Neduvasal, but ONGC does not have any role in the project. At Neduvasal, ONGC does not have any proposal for drilling for hydrocarbon project till date. “Without knowing the procedures to obtain environmental clearance and other formalities, the applicant is simply making allegations against the company,” the reply said seeking the tribunal to the dismiss the application.
It has also stated that hydrocarbon exploration/exploitation was going on in India for the last 60 years and no adverse impact has been recorded to show that the exploration activities of ONGC have caused environmental damage or drought in any of the area it operates.
Studies in Tamil Nadu by PWD have shown there is no impact on groundwater level or its quality in the area where drilling activities are going on. The company has said it was not involved in any shale oil/shale gas/coal bed methane exploration anywhere in Tamil Nadu and also not involved in the hydrocarbon project at Neduvasal.
This apart, the State government has sought more time to clarify its stand. When the case came up before the tribunal, government counsel requested more time to file reply.
Resistance against the project intensified after Karnataka-based Gem Laboratories Pvt Ltd submitted before NGT bench last month that the company has permission from Union government to explore all kinds of hydrocarbons, such as shale gas and coal bed methan, at Neduvasal.
“The government issued e-bids under-discovered small fields and as per this, the government has awarded 31 contracts. It is the Government of India which has identified Neduvasal village as a potential place of carrying out hydrocarbon activities,” GM Lingaraju, managing director of GEM Laboratories, said in the reply. The tribunal adjourned the case to December 13.