India begins drilling its first appraisal well in the Mahanadi Offshore Basin under the “Samudra Manthan” initiative, according to reports. The well, identified as MN-DWN18-1-HD, is being spudded as an initial step to evaluate the basin’s potential more systematically. Outlets say the project involves multiple deepwater wells planned for appraisal work in the area. In the coverage, the first well is described as the beginning of a broader program designed to collect data that will help assess prospects in the offshore basin. The drilling is framed as part of efforts under the national mission to advance offshore exploration and improve understanding of hydrocarbon resources offshore. While specific timelines, drilling targets, or outcomes are not reported in the provided excerpts, both sources describe the start of drilling operations for the first planned deepwater appraisal well in the Mahanadi region and indicate that additional wells are scheduled as part of the same appraisal plan.