India is entering a new era of accelerated hydrocarbon exploration and development, said Union Minister of Petroleum and Natural Gas Hardeep Singh Puri, while addressing the Open Acreage Licensing Policy (OALP) Round-IX and Special Discovered Small Field (DSF) Signing Ceremony held on Tuesday.
Puri highlighted the government’s commitment to building a resilient, future-ready energy ecosystem, driven by investor-friendly reforms, scientific exploration, sustainability, and swift approvals. He linked the efforts to the broader vision of Viksit Bharat, as outlined by the Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas.
He reflected on what he termed a “dull decade” for the upstream sector between 2006 and 2016 when policy inertia and procedural delays led to the withdrawal of major global players like BG, ENI, and Santos. “We were determined to unlock India’s untapped energy potential, estimated at 42 billion tonnes of oil and oil equivalent gas,” he said.
Since 2014, a series of sweeping reforms have driven momentum in the exploration segment. India has expanded its explored sedimentary basin area from 6% to 10%, with a target of 15% by 2030. One notable achievement is the 99% reduction in “No-Go” zones within India’s Exclusive Economic Zone, vastly improving exploration access.
To enhance scientific and data-driven exploration, the government has invested Rs. 7,500 crore in acquiring new seismic data, aerial surveys, and stratigraphic wells. The National Data Repository has been upgraded to a cloud-based platform to provide real-time, transparent access to key geological data across basins.
Puri noted that 76% of the total exploration area has come under active operations since 2014. Under OALP Round-IX, 28 blocks across eight sedimentary basins—covering 1.36 lakh sq. km—have been awarded, with 38% of this area previously categorized as “No-Go.” Additionally, two blocks were awarded under the Special DSF Round, which attracted 60 bids.
“Congratulations to all the awardees. Your success will play a pivotal role in meeting our rising energy demand as India cements its place among the world’s top energy consumers,” the Minister said.
Looking ahead, Puri announced that OALP Round-X has already been launched during India Energy Week 2025, offering 25 blocks across 13 sedimentary basins. The round covers a record 1.92 lakh sq. km, with over half located in formerly restricted zones.
The evening also saw the formal launch of DSF Round-IV, comprising 55 discoveries across nine contract areas, with estimated reserves of 258.59 million metric tonnes of oil equivalent (MMTOE). All blocks have undergone technical vetting by global experts, and relevant data is being made freely accessible to prospective bidders.
In total, 85 Revenue Sharing Contracts covering 175 fields have been awarded under DSF Bid Rounds I–III.
The Minister also spotlighted India’s potential in unconventional energy, including 2,600 BCM of Coal Bed Methane (CBM) reserves. Currently, 15 CBM blocks are active, with five already in production. A Special CBM 2025 Round will soon offer three new blocks—two in West Bengal and one in Gujarat.
A significant policy update was also announced: the amended Oilfields (Regulation and Development) Act, 1948 (ORDA), would come into force from Tuesday. The updated legislation aims to modernize India’s upstream oil and gas regulatory framework in line with global standards.
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