Parliament Question: Discoveries of New Oil and Natural Gas Reserves

LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 3220 TO BE ANSWERED ON 6th AUGUST, 2026 Discoveries of New Oil and Natural Gas Reserves †3220. Shri Arun Govil: Will the Minister of PETROLEUM AND NATURAL GAS be pleased to state: (a) whether the discovery of new oil and natural gas reserves or the presence of hydrocarbons in Uttar Pradesh, Rajasthan, Bihar, Andaman and other areas has been confirmed in recent years, if so, the details thereof; (b) the areas where commercial production is likely to commence on the basis of such discoveries and the time by which the same is likely to commence; (c) the extent to which the country's domestic production of oil and natural gas and its import dependence are likely to be reduced through such discoveries; and (d) whether the Government is taking any special initiatives to expedite the exploration of new oil and natural gas fields in the country, if so, the details thereof? ANSWER पेट(cid:332)ोिलयम और (cid:366)ाकृ ितक गैस मं(cid:361)ालय म(cid:336) रा(cid:475)मं(cid:361)ी ((cid:373)ी सुरेश गोपी) MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF PETROLEUM AND NATURAL GAS (SHRI SURESH GOPI) (a) 28 hydrocarbon discoveries have been notified during the last 3 years. (b) Hydrocarbon discoveries undergo a series of technical and commercial evaluations before commencement of commercial production. These include appraisal drilling,reservoir studies, extended well testing, preparation of Field Development Plan (FDP), obtaining statutory and environmental clearances and development drilling along with installation of production facilities. The commencement of commercial production depends upon the successful completion of all these activities and the commercial viability of the discoveries. (c) The contribution of newly discovered hydrocarbon fields to domestic oil and natural gas production can be assessed only after completion of appraisal activities, estimation of recoverable reserves, approval of Field Development Plans (FDPs) and commencement of commercial production. (d) Government has implemented multiple policies to expedite the exploration of new oil and natural gas fields in the country the details are placed at Annexure-I. ***Annexure-I ANNEXURE REFERRED TO IN REPLY TO PART (D) OF LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 3220 TO BE ANSWERED ON 06.08.2026 REGARDING “DISCOVERIES OF NEW OIL AND NATURAL GAS RESERVES” ASKED BY SHRI ARUN GOVIL. i. Policy under Production Sharing Contract (PSC) regime for early monetization of Hydrocarbon discoveries, 2014; ii. Discovered Small Field Policy, 2015; iii. Hydrocarbon Exploration and Licensing Policy (HELP), 2016; iv. Policy for Extension of PSCs, 2016 and 2017; v. Policy for early monetization of Coal Bed Methane, 2017; vi. Setting up of National Data Repository, 2017; vii. Approval of Un-appraised areas in Sedimentary Basins under National Seismic Programme, 2017; viii. Policy to Promote/Incentivize Enhanced Recovery Methods of Oil/Gas 2018; ix. Policy for exploration and exploitation of Unconventional Hydrocarbons under Existing Fields, 2018; x. Lower Royalty Rates, Zero Revenue Share (till Windfall Gain) and no drilling commitment in Phase-I in OALP Blocks under Category II and III basins to attract bidders, 2019; xi. Natural Gas Marketing Reforms, 2020; xii. Release of about 1 Million Sq. Km. (SKM) “No-Go” area in offshore which were earlier blocked for exploration for decades, 2022; xiii. Revised Domestic Price Guidelines were issued in 2023; xiv. Amendments in the Oilfields (Regulation and Development) Act, 1948 to promote ease of doing business, contractual stability, operational efficiency and faster dispute resolution, 2025; xv. Notification of Petroleum and Natural Gas Rules, 2025. xvi. Announcement of National Deepwater Exploration Mission under Samudra Manthan with an objective to augment hydrocarbon resources and reserves and to enable their timely conversion into production. xvii Appraisal of Un-appraised areas in Sedimentary Basins under National Seismic Programme, 2017. xviii. Release of about 1 Million Sq. Km. (SKM) ‘No-Go’ area in offshore which were blocked for exploration for decades in 2022. xix. Government have approved acquisition of additional 2D Seismic data of 20,000 LKM in onland and 30,000 LKM in offshore beyond Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) of India. xx. Hydrocarbon Resource Assessment Study (HRAS 2025) has been launched on 17.07.2025 for resource assessment across all Indian sedimentary basins. xxi. The Royalty rates for production of crude oil and casing head condensate has been notified vide notification dated 08.05.2026 and 04.06.2026. xxii. The Union Cabinet has approved ‘Samudra Manthan’ on 31 July 2026 towards National Offshore Exploration Scheme with a Phase-I outlay of Rs. 84084 crore upto 2030-31. *******