London, 22 October (Argus) — India-focused mining company Vedanta's subsidiary Cairn India said first oil at the Aishwariya field in Rajasthan has been further delayed to March next year.

Cairn India said in January that the field was due on line in the second half of this year. But the field was originally pegged for first oil in 2007.

Cairn India operates the block with a 70pc stake, while the rest is held by state-controlled ONGC.

Production at Cairn India's producing oil fields in Rajasthan remained steady at 175,000 b/d in the three months to the end of September. The Mangala field continued to produce around 150,000 b/d, while the Bhagyam field produced slightly more than the company had previously said for the period, at 25,000 b/d compared with some 22,400 b/d.

The Mangala, Bhagyam and Aishwariya fields have gross proven and probable reserves and resources of 636mn bl of oil equivalent, according to Cairn India.

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