ONGC Charts New Frontier with Helium Recovery, Marks Leadership Transition
By Newscript News Network
August 20, 2025
India’s flagship explorer Oil & Natural Gas Corporation (ONGC) is preparing to enter the strategically vital helium market with a landmark ₹40 crore investment in Tamil Nadu. On August 20, ONGC Energy Centre Trust signed an agreement with Engineers India Limited (EIL) to set up the country’s first indigenous helium recovery plant.
Helium is critical for MRI machines, semiconductor fabrication, space research, and defence technologies. Currently, India relies almost entirely on imports from the US and Qatar, leaving it vulnerable to global shortages. “Helium is rare, irreplaceable, and expensive. By developing indigenous recovery, ONGC is giving India both security and leverage,” said a senior ONGC scientist.
The Tamil Nadu facility ...