Abstract

Exploration activities targeting areas beyond the shelf margin in the Western Offshore Basin commenced in the early 1980s, primarily focusing on deeper thermogenic plays. However, due to poor clastic reservoirs and complex structures, significant hydrocarbon discoveries remained elusive until 2017–18, when a breakthrough occurred in the shallow Chinichini play within Block A, southwest of Mumbai High–DCS. The thrust for shallow gas exploration gained momentum following the acquisition of broadband 3D seismic datasets, which revealed promising anomalies within the Pliocene sedimentary sequence now emerging as a key play in this underexplored corridor of the basin. To assess this potential, an integrated study was conducted in Block B, south of Block A, within a 70–100 m bathymetric range. The study confirmed the southward extension of favorable Pliocene reservoir facies, typically fine sand to silty units with low resistivity, bounded by listric normal faults. Seismic attributes, including DHIs such as bright and flat spots, provided clear reservoir indicators. The reservoir units, interpreted as “contourite” deposits, align along the regional strike as elongated geobodies. A recent 2024 drilling campaign targeting one such strati-structural anomaly resulted in a significant hydrocarbon find, unlocking a promising exploration frontier. This emerging play exhibits consistent geological continuity with minimal exploratory risk along the regional strike west of the shelf edge. Its favorable reservoir characteristics and structural attributes position it as a promising candidate for monetization through a cluster-based development strategy in future appraisal and production phases.