New Delhi, Jan 2 (IANS): State-run explorer Oil and Natural Gas Corp (ONGC) has made large oil and gas discoveries to the west of its Mumbai High fields in the western offshore, Parliament was informed on Monday.

In a written reply to the Lok Sabha, Petroleum Minister Dharmendra Pradhan said ONGC made the discoveies in the well WO-24-3 (WO-24-C) drilled west of Mumbai High fields.

"Based on the data generated during drilling, 9 objects/zones were identified and on testing all the objects flowed oil/gas.

"The 9th object on testing flowed oil at the rate of 3,310 barrels per day and gas at the rate of 17,071 cubic meter per day," he said.

The Minister also said the discovery has indicated potential in-place reserves of about 29.74 million tonnes of oil and oil equivalent gas.

"This multi-layered oil and gas accumulation in this well opened up new area for exploration/development," he added.

ONGC is carrying out further appraisals and has intimated the Directorate General of Hydrocarbons on the discoveries.