DIMAPUR, MAY 11 (MExN): The Changpang Land Owners Union (CLOU) and Tssori Old Land owners Union (TOLOU) have asked the government of Nagaland to expedite resumption of exploration in the oil-rich Changpang and Old Tssori belt in Wokha district. This comes in the backdrop of the Nagaland state government inviting bids from oil companies. In response a number of companies are said to have expressed interest to the government tender.
Land owners from the two villages led by CLOU President, Mhao Odyuo and TOLOU president, T. Amos Kikon told media persons in Dimapur on May 11 that they are willing and ready for operations to start; while reiterating that they still stand by the points mentioned in the representation submitted to the state government on January 22, 2009. The representation had said, “That the land owners were willing to allow oil activities on their land provided that the operating agency comes through proper channel i.e. through the government and with active support of the Lotha Hoho.” It also stated that “before the activity begins, an MOU with the government and a separate agreement with the operating agency is prepared and signed.”
Giving a brief history of oil exploration at Changpang and Tssori, the two bodies said that it dates back to the year 1973 when the ONGC started exploration, and eventually drilling 30 wells. Actual extraction started in 1981 continuing till 1994 when it was suspended. During the period, approximately 1.2 million metric tonnes of crude oil was said to have been extracted. The quantum of extraction in 1994 was approximately 300 kilo litres per day, it added. Nagaland state’s share of royalty was Rs. 33 crores, out which the land owners were given around Rs. 67 lakhs.
The land owners pointed out that this stoppage has resulted in revenue loss, not to mention the impact on the environment caused by oil spillage from the unplugged wells. They further expressed apprehension on the possibility of Nagaland losing out, if the remaining crude oil reserves at Changpang and Old Tssori are not tapped.
The ONGC, according to the land owners, are at present operating in four locations just across the border in Assam. The four locations are barely 300 metres away from Changpang oil field, it was stated. Examining all these factors, CLOU and TOLOU had on many occasions approached the government to expedite resumption of operation but the government has preferred to only delay the process, the land owners said.
On the modalities framed by the Cabinet Sub Committee on Petroleum & Natural Gas, the two land owners’ bodies said that they have nothing more to add “because this was made after a series of consultative meetings.” The CLOU and TOLOU “extend their full support to the government to expedite resumption at the earliest basing on it.”
While asserting their cooperation to expedite resumption of operations, the two bodies further asked that the government opt for the best bidder (company), which will result in greater revenue. “We believe that the state government will choose a company which will bring better benefits (to the state).”
Without being specific, the land owners also warned on the possibility of “middlemen with vested interests” coming into the picture. “We don’t want the involvement of others with vested interests.” “Anything related to Changpang/Old Tssori oil field will be dealt/decided by the Changpang/Old Tssori general public not by others,” it stated.
