Monday, October 31 2005 15:24 Hrs (IST) - World Time -

Agartala: ONGC would conduct a pilot study with the help of Department of Science and Technology (DST) and Saha Institute of Nuclear Physics (SINP) to look into the feasibility of commercial production of helium gas.

Chairman and Managing Director Subir Raha told reporters here that ONGC has signed an MoU with DST and SINP for the purpose.

He said the pilot project for helium gas would be carried out in a place called Kuthalam in Tamil Nadu.

Helium, used as a coolant gas in space and atomic energy, comes in traces in natural gas, Raha said.

The pilot project would help in tracing enough helium to make commercial production viable. The project cost, pegged at Rs 200 crore would be almost entirely borne by ONGC. The strategic gas is fully imported into India at present.

Meanwhile, ONGC along with government of Tripura and IL&FS is funding a Rs 4,000 crore, 750 MW gas based power plant in South Tripura which would meet the power demand of North East region.