**Summary:**
The Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas highlights ongoing initiatives to bolster India's energy sector, encompassing exploration, green hydrogen, biofuels, and LNG.
Exploration efforts are driven by the Hydrocarbon Exploration and Licensing Policy (HELP), initiated in 2016, and the Open Acreage Licensing Policy (OALP). Under OALP, 172 exploration blocks (378,652 sq. km) have been awarded through bid rounds I-IX. OALP Round X, offering 25 exploration blocks (191,986.21 sq. km), was launched on April 15, 2025.
India's LNG infrastructure includes eight operational terminals with a total capacity of 52.7 million Metric Tonnes Per Annum (MMTPA). A total of 29 LNG retail stations are operational, consisting of 13 stations commissioned by state-owned Oil and Gas companies and 16 stations owned by private entities. The Petroleum and Natural Gas Regulatory Board (PNGRB) has authorized City Gas Distribution (CGD) network development in 307 geographical areas (GAs), covering almost 100% of mainland India (excluding islands). As of May 31, 2025, CGD entities have provided 1.50 Crore domestic PNG connections and commissioned 8,083 CNG stations.
The National Green Hydrogen Mission, launched in January 2023, aims to establish India as a global hub for green hydrogen production, usage, and export, targeting 5 MMT per annum production by 2030.
The National Policy on Biofuels 2018, amended in 2022, advanced the target of 20% ethanol blending in petrol from 2030 to Ethanol Supply Year (ESY) 2025-26. As of June 30, 2025, during the ongoing ESY 2025-26, Public Sector Oil Marketing Companies (OMCs) have achieved an average ethanol blending of 18.93%.
The Sustainable Alternative Towards Affordable Transportation (SATAT) initiative, launched on October 1, 2018, promotes Compressed Bio Gas (CBG) production from waste biomass and its utilization alongside natural gas.
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: 2155112
Key Entities Referenced
Hydrocarbon Exploration and Licensing Policy HELP: A policy launched in 2016 by the Government to boost the energy sector through exploration.
Open Acreage Licensing Policy OALP: A policy started under HELP to award exploration blocks to successful bidders.
Liquefied Natural Gas LNG: A type of natural gas that has been converted to liquid form for ease of storage or transport.
Petroleum and Natural Gas Regulatory Board PNGRB: An organization that authorized CGD entities to develop City Gas Distribution network.
City Gas Distribution network: A network to distribute gas in 307 geographical areas GAs covering almost 100 of the countrys mainland excluding islands.
National Green Hydrogen Mission: A mission launched in January 2023 with an objective to make India a Global Hub for Green Hydrogen.
National policy on Biofuels 2018: A policy, as amended in 2022, advanced the target of 20 blending of Ethanol in petrol.
Sustainable Alternative Towards Affordable Transportation SATAT: An initiative launched on 1st October 2018 to promote the production of Compressed Bio Gas CBG.
Ministry of Petroleum & Natural Gas
GOVERNMENT BOOSTS ENERGY SECTOR WITH
NEW EXPLORATION, GREEN HYDROGEN,
BIOFUEL AND LNG INITIATIVES
Posted On: 11 AUG 2025 5:27PM by PIB Delhi
Government have launched Hydrocarbon Exploration and Licensing Policy (HELP) in 2016. Under this
policy, Open Acreage Licensing Policy (OALP) was started. A total of 172 exploration blocks under OALP
bid Round I to IX covering 3,78,652 Square Kilometer have been awarded to successful bidders. Further,
OALP bid Round X offering 25 explorations blocks covering 1,91,986.21 sq. km has been launched on
15.04.2025.
The total capacity of existing 08 Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG) terminals in India is 52.7 million Metric
Tonne Per Annum (MMTPA). 13 LNG retail stations have so far been commissioned by State
owned Oil and Gas companies. Further, 16 LNG retail stations owned by private entities are also
operational.
Petroleum and Natural Gas Regulatory Board (PNGRB) has authorized CGD entities to develop
City Gas Distribution network in 307 geographical areas (GAs) covering almost 100% of the
country’s mainland (excluding islands). As on 31.05.2025, various CGD entities have provided 1.50
Crores domestic PNG connections and commissioned 8,083 CNG Stations.
The Government have launched National Green Hydrogen Mission in January 2023 with an
objective to make India a Global Hub for production, usage and export of Green Hydrogen and its
derivatives, by targeting production of 5 MMT per annum of Green Hydrogen by 2030.
Further, the National policy on Biofuels 2018, as amended in 2022, inter-alia advanced the target of
20% blending of Ethanol in petrol from 2030 to Ethanol Supply Year (ESY) 2025-26. During the
ongoing ESY 2025-26, Public Sector Oil Marketing (OMCs) have achieved an average ethanol
blending of 18.93% as on 30.06.2025.
Government have also launched “Sustainable Alternative Towards Affordable Transportation
(SATAT)” initiative on 1st October 2018 to promote the production of Compressed Bio Gas (CBG)
from various waste/ biomass sources in the country and for promoting its use along with Natural
Gas.
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.
******
MONIKA
(Release ID: 2155112)