PTI

New Delhi, Feb 23: State-run Oil India Ltd has made a significant oil discovery in upper Assam -- the deepest commercial hydrocarbon strike in the country. 

The discovery was made at the depth of more than 5,610 metres, OIL Chairman and Managing Director N M Borah said.

A number of prospective oil and gas bearing sands, with a total net hydrocarbon pay of about 50 metres, were encountered in the discovery well Mechaki-2, he said.

The well was tested to have a production potential of over 1,000 barrels of oil equivalent per day. "This significant discovery has opened up adjoining neighbourhood for further exploration of deep seated hydrocarbon prospects by OIL," he said.

The company has been successful in enhancing its oil and gas production potential from its assets in the North East.

During the year 2008-09, the company anticipates to enhance production of crude oil from the North East by about 12 per cent over last year's production.

"Such an increase in production has been made possible by induction of world class technology in its E&P operations," he said adding crude oil production is likely to be around 3.6 million tonnes this fiscal.