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GOVERNMENT OF INDIA
MINISTRY OF PETROLEUM AND NATURAL GAS
RAJYA SABHA
UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 1890
ANSWERED ON 09/03/2026
EXPENDITURE ON DEEPWATER EXPLORATION IN ANDAMAN-NICOBAR BASIN
1890. SHRI MOHAMMED NADIMUL HAQUE:
Will the Minister of PETROLEUM AND NATURAL GAS be pleased to state:
(a) the total public expenditure incurred on seismic surveys, stratigraphic drilling and
exploration activities in the Andaman-Nicobar offshore basin since 2021;
(b) the share of expenditure borne by ONGC, OIL and any other public entities; and
(c) whether any financial audit or review of exploration outcomes versus costs has been
conducted so far and if so, the findings thereof?
ANSWER
THE MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF PETROLEUM AND NATURAL GAS
(SHRI SURESH GOPI)
(a) and (b): The total public expenditure incurred on seismic surveys, stratigraphic drilling
and exploration activities in the Andaman-Nicobar offshore basin since 2021 is Rs 5000.33
Crores. The details of expenditure including share of Oil and Natural Gas Corporation
Limited (ONGC) and Oil India Limited (OIL) is as under:
Sr. No. Particulars Total
Expenditure
1 Government Funded Seismic Surveys (2D seismic Rs 427.93 Crores
Acquisition, Processing and Interpretation)
2 Expenditure incurred by OIL for Exploration, including Rs 2,397.41 Crores
drilling expenditure also, in blocks awarded under the
Open Acreages Licensing Policy Round II
3 Expenditure incurred by ONGC for Exploration, including Rs 2,177.99 Crores
drilling expenditure also, in blocks awarded under the
Open Acreages Licensing Policy Round VI
Total Rs 5,000.33 Crores
(c): Periodical review/audit is carried out by Statutory Auditors, Internal Auditors, Block
Auditors and C&AG Auditors. Moreover, the Government also regularly reviews the
exploration and production activities undertaken by the Operators in their respective blocks
through Management Committee meetings which inter-alia include review of financial
outcomes of the activities.
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