Bhubaneswar: Offshore drilling operations have reportedly begun in the Bay of Bengal, around 43 kilometres from Chandrabhaga coast in Odisha's Puri district, triggering discussions about the possible exploration of oil, natural gas and other mineral resources beneath the seabed.

Large vessels equipped with advanced drilling machinery have been deployed at the site to carry out deep-sea operations. The activities are believed to be part of a geological exploration exercise aimed at studying underground formations and assessing the possibility of finding valuable natural resources, including crude oil and natural gas.

Such deep-sea exploration requires sophisticated equipment, specialised technical expertise and advanced technology. Drilling into the seabed helps collect geological data and understand the structure of underground rock formations, which can provide indications of potential oil and gas reserves.

However, the exact objective and scope of the ongoing operation have not yet been officially clarified. There is also growing curiosity over whether the district or local administration has been informed about the project.

The Oil and Natural Gas Corporation (ONGC) is being urged to make relevant information about the offshore operation public to address questions surrounding the project, including its purpose and possible implications.

The drilling activity, which is taking place approximately 43 kilometres off Chandrabhaga, has drawn attention from various quarters. Whether the exploration will yield positive results and lead to the discovery of oil or natural gas reserves remains to be seen.