India Launches Major Offshore Energy Drive Covering 2.5 Lakh Square Kilometres

India is embarking on one of the world’s largest offshore energy exploration campaigns, with plans to explore more than 2.5 lakh square kilometres under the Open Acreage Licensing Programme (OALP) Round X. The announcement was made by Hardeep Singh Puri, Minister of Petroleum and Natural Gas, during his visit to Norway.

 

Speaking at the Offshore Energy Cluster meeting in Bergen, Minister Puri stated that India is entering a new era in energy exploration. He emphasized that under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, previous limitations in oil and gas exploration have transformed into fresh opportunities.

The minister credited a landmark policy decision on eliminating ‘no-go’ areas for significantly strengthening India’s energy security and laying the foundation for a transformative shift in the sector.

During his visit, Puri also met with Kristian Sorensen, CEO of BW LPG, a leading global LPG shipping company. BW LPG owns and operates Very Large Gas Carriers (VLGCs) with a capacity exceeding four million cubic metres and is responsible for nearly 20 percent of India’s LPG imports. The meeting in Oslo focused on enhancing collaboration between BW LPG and Indian energy companies.

OALP Round X has already garnered interest from both domestic and international energy firms. This round is anticipated to set new records for participation and investment.

As part of ongoing reforms, the Ministry of Petroleum has invited public feedback on the Draft Petroleum and Natural Gas Rules, the Model Revenue Sharing Contract (MRSC), and the Petroleum Lease, with a submission deadline of July 17, 2025.

Looking ahead, Minister Puri is scheduled to attend ‘Urja Varta 2025’ at Bharat Mandapam on July 17, where he will engage with policymakers and industry leaders in the lead-up to the next phase of bidding under Round X.