**Summary:**
The Indian government, through the Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas, is actively pursuing hydrocarbon exploration in the Andaman-Nicobar (AN) Basin to enhance the nation's energy security and reduce import dependence. Following the Hydrocarbon Exploration and Licensing Policy (HELP), four blocks covering approximately 23,261 sq. km have been allocated for exploration, resulting in the acquisition of 8,501 line km of 2D seismic data and 3,270 sq. km of 3D seismic data, with three wells drilled. Under Open Acreage Licensing Policy (OALP) X, an additional four blocks with a total area of 47,058 sq. km have been offered in the Andaman Basin.
India's Hydrocarbon Resource Assessment Study (HRAS) estimates hydrocarbon resources of 371 million Metric Tons of Oil Equivalent (MMTOE) in the AN Basin. A 2D broadband seismic survey, completed in 2024, covered approximately 80,000 line km of India’s Exclusive Economic Zone, including the Andaman offshore region. Oil India Limited (OIL) acquired 22,555 Line Kilometer (LKM) of 2D seismic data in the Deep Andaman Offshore Survey during 2021-22. The AN basin, situated at the intersection of the Andaman and Nicobar Basins within the Bengal-Arakan sedimentary system, exhibits geological characteristics conducive to hydrocarbon accumulation due to the tectonic setting at the boundary of the Indian and Burmese plates. Interest has been rekindled by gas discoveries in South Andaman offshore in Indonesia. Economic and strategic assessments are undertaken based on basin-specific parameters for realistic evaluation and policy decisions.
This information was provided by the Minister of State in the Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas, Shri Suresh Gopi, in a written reply in Rajya Sabha. Release ID: 2155111
Key Entities Referenced
Ministry of Petroleum Natural Gas: The Indian government ministry responsible for the exploration, production, refining, distribution, marketing, import, export, and conservation of petroleum, natural gas, petroleum products, and liquefied natural gas.
AndamanNicobar Basin: A sedimentary basin located in the Andaman and Nicobar Islands, known for its potential hydrocarbon reserves.
Hydrocarbon Exploration and Licensing Policy (HELP): A policy introduced by the Government of India to streamline and boost hydrocarbon exploration and production.
Open Acreage Licensing Policy OALP X: An Indian government policy that allows companies to select exploration blocks from available areas and apply for licenses to explore and produce oil and gas.
Oil India Limited (OIL): An Indian public sector undertaking engaged in the exploration, development, and production of crude oil and natural gas.
Myanmar: A country bordering India, with proven petroleum systems.
North Sumatra: A province of Indonesia with proven petroleum systems.
SHRI SURESH GOPI: MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF PETROLEUM AND NATURAL GAS
Ministry of Petroleum & Natural Gas
ANDAMAN OIL EXPLORATION
Posted On: 11 AUG 2025 5:26PM by PIB Delhi
Government is taking sustained measures towards exploring and identifying crude oil and hydrocarbon
reserves in the Andaman-Nicobar basin so that they can contribute to the country’s long term energy security
and reduce import dependence. Following the introduction of the Hydrocarbon Exploration and Licensing
Policy (HELP), the Government has allocated four blocks for oil and gas exploration in the Andaman-Nicobar
Basin, covering approximately 23,261 square kilometers (SKM). Exploratory efforts have resulted in the
acquisition of 8,501-line kilometers of 2-Dimentional (2D) seismic data and 3,270 SKM of 3D seismic data in
these blocks and three wells have been drilled in these blocks so far. Furthermore, under Open Acreage
Licensing Policy (OALP) - X, four blocks with a total area of 47,058 sq. km have been offered in the
Andaman Basin.
India’s Hydrocarbon Resource Assessment Study (HRAS) estimates hydrocarbon resources of 371
million Metric Tons of Oil Equivalent (MMTOE) in the AN Basin. Subsequent to HRAS 2017, a 2D
broadband seismic survey has been completed in 2024 covering approximately 80,000 line
kilometers of India’s Exclusive Economic Zone (including in Andaman offshore). This has helped
acquiring the essential sub-surface data required for identifying prospective hydrocarbon reserves.
Government through Oil India Limited (OIL) has also acquired a total of 22,555 Line Kilometer
(LKM) of 2D seismic data in Deep Andaman Offshore Survey during 2021-22.
Geologically, the AN basin lies at the intersection of the Andaman and Nicobar Basins, part of the
Bengal-Arakan sedimentary system. The tectonic setting at the boundary of the Indian and
Burmese plates have created numerous stratigraphic traps conducive to hydrocarbon accumulation.
The basin’s geological promise is further amplified by its proximity to prove petroleum systems in
Myanmar and North Sumatra. Global interest in the AN basin has been rekindled following
significant gas discoveries in South Andaman offshore in Indonesia, highlighting geological
continuity across this region.
Each sedimentary basin possesses distinct geological characteristics, hydrocarbon system
dynamics, prospectivity, and development challenges, making direct comparison across basins
inherently limited. Consequently, economic and strategic assessments are undertaken in the
context of basin-specific parameters, rather than on a like-for-like comparative basis, to ensure
realistic evaluation and policy decision-making.
This information was given by the MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF PETROLEUM
AND NATURAL GAS SHRI SURESH GOPI, in a written reply in Rajya Sabha today.
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MONIKA
(Release ID: 2155111)