At the same time, RIL is drilling the AS-1 and AR2 exploration wells in the D-6 block. Apart from Cretaceous, Miocene oil discoveries have identified new petroleum zones in the block.
Prior to the present exploration programme, the company has spudded the MA-1 exploratory well last year.
In April 2009, RIL began pumping gas from the Dhirubhai 1 and 3 discoveries on the block. The facility is expected to yield 550,000 barrels of oil per day (BOPD) at its peak production.
The block was placed into production six and a half years from discovery. By the end of June 2009 or early July 2009, the rest of the wells are expected to be brought online to further increase gas production.
