"We have struck good reserves of gas in two fields which are in the same region. The recoverable reserves are estimated to be around 10 million metric tonnes of oil and oil equivalent gas (O&OEG)," the ministry said.

The reserves have been found in two gas fields at Baghjan and North Chandmari in Dibrugarh district.

The company first struck gas in one of the wells six months back and is currently engaged in delimiting the exploration area prior to development and production.

The two discoveries are in forest areas of Assam.

"The investments required for the evacuation of gas and its future use are still to be finalised," a company spokesperson said.

An exploration and production company, OIL currently contributes around three million tonnes of oil to India's annual total production of around 33 million tonnes.

--Indo-Asian News Service