State-run Oil and Natural Gas Corporation today suspended drilling operations in the western offshore while other oil firms took steps to protect their installations from a tropical cyclone in the Arabian Sea. ONGC Chairman and Managing Director R S Sharma told reporters in New Delhi , all drilling and offshore maintenance and construction work off the Mumbai coast have been stopped as a precautionary measure. Cyclone 'Phyan' is expected to hit south Gujarat and north Maharashtra following a deep depression formed in the South East and adjoining Central Arabian Sea.<br/><br/>Our correspondent reports,the western offshore is the home to the nation's largest oil and gas fields of the Mumbai High and Bassein. The fields produce 320,000 barrels per day, or about half of the nation's total crude output. Besides, over 45 million standard cubic meters of natural gas is produced from Mumbai High, Heera and Bassein. It also houses Panna,Mukta and Tapti oil fields.