IIT Bombay, NTPC Complete Drilling India’s 1st CO2 Storage Well; Second Underway
Mumbai, December 29, 2025 – The Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Bombay and NTPC have successfully completed the drilling of India’s first well aimed at testing the viability of geological carbon dioxide (CO2) storage in sedimentary formations such as coal and sandstone. This significant milestone was announced by the institute on Monday.
Background of the Initiative
The collaboration between IIT Bombay and NTPC was launched under the auspices of NITI Aayog in November 2022. The project brought together NETRA, the Research and Development wing of NTPC, and the Department of Earth Sciences at IIT Bombay to create India’s first geological storage atlas for coalbed methane-rich coalfields. This atlas provides layer-by-layer simulation results, with experimentally validated inputs for quantifying the potential for geological CO2 storage in four major coalfields.
Details of the First Well
The country achieved its first dedicated CO2 storage well, reaching a depth of 1200 meters in September 2025. The drilling site is located in Pakri Barwadih, near a coal mining area in Jharkhand’s Hazaribagh district. The drilling was completed on November 15, 2025.
Progress on the Second Well
Following the success of the first well, a second well drilling was initiated on December 21, 2025. Both CO2 injection and plume monitoring will be implemented using these wells, as stated by the institute.
Significance of the Project
As India aims to honor its net-zero commitments in line with the ‘Panchamrit’ climate goals announced by the Prime Minister, the acceleration of indigenous science and technology outcomes for the commercialization of Carbon Capture, Utilization, and Storage (CCUS) technologies is crucial. Dr. V.K. Saraswat, a member of NITI Aayog, emphasized the importance of this project in achieving the country’s goals of becoming ‘Atmanirbhar’ (self-reliant) and ‘Viksit Bharat’ (developed India).
Safety and Monitoring Measures
Dr. Saraswat also highlighted the need for strict monitoring of subsurface characterization, conservative injection pressure limits, robust well design and sealing, and continuous monitoring of pressure and seismicity to ensure the safety and effectiveness of the CO2 storage process.
Statements from Key Figures
Gurdeep Singh, the Chairman and Managing Director of NTPC, described the successful drilling as an important step towards decarbonization. He noted that this initiative is pivotal for India’s energy transition.
Professor Shireesh Kedare, Director of IIT Bombay, emphasized the role of translational research and development in shaping the roadmap for India’s energy transition and decarbonization.
Future Prospects
The project marks a significant shift from laboratory research to field deployment. It aims to provide feasibility and risk assessments for full-scale Carbon Capture and Storage (CCS) development, including a detailed storage complex analysis and a commercial development plan.
Preliminary studies indicate a high geological CO2 storage potential in the North Karanpura coalfield, with the Pakri-Barwadih block showing the capacity to inject up to 15.5 million tonnes of CO2 over a 10-year injection period.
Previous Collaborations
It is worth noting that in 2017, IIT Bombay and NTPC collaborated to establish India’s first CO2 capture and utilization facility in the power sector. This led to the development of the Vindhyachal CCU plant, which captures 20 tonnes of CO2 per day and converts it into fuel-methane.
Government Support and Mission Mode Approach
India’s journey towards CCUS is being advanced through a mission-mode approach, with the Ministry of Power acting as the nodal agency. This initiative is supported by inter-ministerial collaboration to scale up CCUS technologies across hard-to-abate sectors.
Conclusion
The successful completion of India’s first CO2 storage well represents a monumental step in the country’s efforts to combat climate change and transition to sustainable energy practices. As the project progresses, it will provide valuable insights and frameworks for future carbon capture and storage initiatives.
Note: The information presented in this article is based on official announcements and reports as of December 2025.
