Mizoram government is encouraging oil and gas companies in India to explore and produce oil in areas which are rich in crude oil deposit in the state.

Experts and some oil firms claim that the state is home to a rich deposit of crude oil. According to, Dr Lallenmawia, a geologist from Mizoram, the state falls under category number one or 'proven commercial productivity zone' which roughly estimates there could be about 170 million metric tonne of untapped crude reserves.

Lallenmawia feels the oil reserve could be even more and, if tapped, the state would witness an economic boom to the extent of earning a sobriquet of Kuwait of the Northeast India.

During an interaction with BN Talukdar, Director of Oil India, Mizoram Chief Minister Lal Thanhawla assured cooperation in the exploration of oil in Mizoram.

Thanhawla wants oil firms to expedite the execution of exploration projects by oil companies for the development of the state.

Lal Thanhawla also informed Talukdar that his government is always ready to work with the oil company in their bid to explore and drill the hydrocarbons reserves.