Executive Summary:
This document presents the Minister of Petroleum and Natural Gas's response to questions regarding major oil exploration projects undertaken in India over the last five years (2019 onwards), detailing project implementation, discoveries, potential quantities identified, and fund allocation. Exploration projects are implemented by public and private entities as per contractual agreements, with no government expenditure incurred. These efforts have led to discoveries and increased resource potential.
Key Points / Main Content:
Oil and Gas Exploration Projects:
* Hydrocarbon exploration projects, including oil and gas, are implemented by public and private entities based on contractual agreements with the Government.
* The Government does not incur expenditure on these exploration projects; contractors undertake them at their own risk.
Project Implementation and Discoveries:
* From 2019 onwards, the Government awarded 117 blocks under the Open Acreages Licensing Policy (OALP) bidding rounds and 7 blocks under Special Coal Bed Methane Bid Rounds.
* These efforts have resulted in 54 discoveries between 2020-21 and 2024-25.
* A total potential of 182.7 Million Metric Tonne of Oil Equivalent (MMTOE) has been identified through these discoveries.
* Annexure I provides a state-wise list of OALP and CBM Blocks awarded year-wise.
* Annexure II provides a state-wise list of discoveries made during the last five years (2020-21 to 2024-25).
Contribution to Fuel Security:
* Exploration and Production (EP) activities contribute to reducing the country's dependence on imported oil and gas.
* Geoscientific surveys of blocks awarded under OALP Bid Round IX indicate the potential to add 31.2 Billion Tonnes of Oil Equivalent resource potential.
Impact Analysis:
Contractors (Public and Private Entities):
* Impact: Responsible for implementing hydrocarbon exploration projects, including oil and gas exploration, as per contractual agreements with the Government. Contractors bear the financial risk of these projects.
* Action Required: Continue exploration and production activities within awarded blocks.
Government of India:
* Impact: Oversees and facilitates hydrocarbon exploration through policy frameworks like OALP and CBM bidding rounds. Benefits from increased domestic oil and gas production, reducing import dependence.
* Action Required: Continue to award exploration blocks and monitor the progress of exploration activities.
Citizens of India:
* Impact: Benefit from increased fuel security and reduced dependence on imported oil and gas, potentially leading to stable energy prices.
* Action Required: No direct action required.
Key Entities Referenced
PETROLEUM AND NATURAL GAS: The Indian government ministry responsible for oil and natural gas.
SHRI SURESH GOPI: Minister of State in the Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas.
Open Acreages Licensing Policy OALP: A policy by the Government to award blocks for hydrocarbon exploration.
Coal Bed Methane: A type of natural gas extracted from coal beds.
Andhra Pradesh: A state in India where oil and gas explorations and discoveries have occurred.
Assam: A state in India with significant oil and gas exploration and discoveries.
Gujarat: A state in India with significant oil and gas exploration and discoveries.
Oil and Gas Exploration: Projects implemented by entities, both public and private, as per the contractual agreement with the Government.
LOK SABHA
UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 4672
TO BE ANSWERED ON 21st August, 2025
MAJOR OIL EXPLORATION PROJECTS
4672. SHRI PUTTA MAHESH KUMAR:
SHRI MAGUNTA SREENIVASULU REDDY:
पेट(cid:332)ोिलयम और (cid:366)ाकृ ितक गैस मं(cid:361)ी
Will the Minister of PETROLEUM AND NATURAL GAS be pleased to state:
a) whether the Government has undertaken any major oil exploration projects during each
of the last five years across the country;
(b) if so, the details thereof, State/UT-wise including the list of places where such
discoveries occurred and the total potential quantity identified during the said period;
(c) the total quantum of funds allocated, released and utilised for the said purpose during
the said period, State-wise including Andhra Pradesh; and
(d) whether the recent successful oil explorations would contribute towards protecting
India’s fuel security and if so, the details thereof and if not, the reasons therefor?
ANSWER
पेट(cid:332)ोिलयमऔर (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) to (d): Hydrocarbon Exploration, which includes Oil and Gas Exploration, projects are
implemented by entities, both public and private, as per the contractual agreement with the
Government. No expenditure is incurred by the Government on exploration projects. These
projects are undertaken by contractors at their own risk. During the last five years (2019
onwards) the Government has awarded 117 blocks under Open Acreages Licensing Policy
(OALP) bidding rounds and 07 blocks under Special Coal Bed Methane Bid Rounds.
State-wise list of hydrocarbon exploration projects implemented is at Annexure-I.
Efforts in this regard have led to 54 discoveries during the last five years i.e., 2020-21 to
2024-25. State wise list of discoveries is attached at Annexure II. The total potential of
182.7 Million Metric Tonne of Oil Equivalent (MMTOE) has been identified through these
discoveries.
Exploration and Production (E&P) activities contribute to reducing the country's dependence
on imported oil and gas. Geoscientific survey of the blocks awarded under recently concluded
OALP Bid Round-IX indicate potential to add 31.2 Billion Tonnes of Oil Equivalent resource
potential to the country’s existing resource potential.
*****ANNEXURE-I
ANNEXURE REFERRED TO IN REPLY TO PART (a) to (d) OF LOK SABHA
UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 4672 TO BE ANSWERED ON 21.08.2025 REGARDING
MAJOR OIL EXPLORATION PROJECTS
State / UT-wise details of OALP and CBM Blocks awarded year-wise
State OALP CBM
Block Year of Award Block Year of Award
Andhra KG-ONHP-2018/1 2019 Nil Nil
Pradesh KG-ONHP-2018/2 2019
CD-ONHP-2020/1 2022
Assam AA-ONHP-2018/1 2019 Nil Nil
AA-ONHP-2018/3 2019
AA-ONHP-2019/1 2020
AA-ONHP-2019/2 2020
AS-ONHP-2021/1 2022
AS-ONHP-2021/2 2022
AS-ONHP-2021/3 2022
AS-ONHP-2022/1 2024
Meghalaya AS-ONHP-2022/2 2025 NIL NIL
AS-ONHP-2022/3 2025
Bihar GV-ONHP-2021/1 2022 Nil Nil
GV-ONHP-2021/2 2022
Chhattisgarh Nil Nil SR(ONHP)-CBM-2021/6 2022
SR-ONHP(CBM)-2022/6 2024
Gujarat CB-ONHP-2018/1 2019 Nil Nil
CB-ONHP-2018/2 2019
CB-ONHP-2018/3 2019
CB-ONHP-2018/4 2019
CB-ONHP-2019/1 2020
CB-ONHP-2019/2 2020
GK-ONHP-2019/1 2020
Gujarat CB-ONHP-2020/1 2022 Nil Nil
CB-ONHP-2021/1 2022
CB-ONHP-2021/2 2022
GK-ONHP-2021/1 2022
GS-ONHP-2021/1 2022
CB-ONHP-2022/1 2024
CB-ONHP-2022/2 2025 NIL NIL
CB-ONHP-2023/1 2025 NIL NIL
CB-ONHP-2023/2 2025 NIL NIL
CB-ONHP-2023/3 2025 NIL NIL
GS-ONHP-2023/1 2025 NIL NIL
GS-ONHP-2023/2 2025 NIL NIL
GS-ONHP-2023/3 2025 NIL NIL
Jharkhand Nil Nil BP(ONHP)-CBM-2021/2 2022
Madhya VN-ONHP-2019/1 2020 SR(ONHP)-CBM-2021/5 2022
Pradesh VN-ONHP-2019/2 2020 SP(ONHP)-CBM-2021/1 2022
VN-ONHP-2019/3 2020 SR-ONHP(CBM)-2022/4 2024
VN-ONHP-2019/4 2020 SR-ONHP(CBM)-2022/5 2024
VN-ONHP-2019/5 2020
SR-ONHP-2021/1 2022State OALP CBM
Block Year of Award Block Year of Award
Maharashtra NM-ONHP-2020/1 2022 Nil Nil
Nagaland AA-ONHP-2018/2 2019 Nil Nil
Odisha MN-ONHP-2018/1 2019 Nil Nil
MN-ONHP-2018/2 2019
MN-ONHP-2018/3 2019
MN-ONHP-2018/4 2019
MN-ONHP-2018/5 2019
Rajasthan RJ-ONHP-2018/1 2019 Nil Nil
RJ-ONHP-2018/2 2019
RJ-ONHP-2019/1 2020
RJ-ONHP-2019/2 2020
RJ-ONHP-2019/3 2020
RJ-ONHP-2021/1 2022
Tamil Nadu CY-ONHP-2018/1 2019 Nil Nil
CY-ONHP-2018/2 2019
Tamil Nadu CY-ONHP-2018/3 2019 Nil Nil
Tripura AA-ONHP-2018/4 2019 Nil Nil
AA-ONHP-2018/5 2019
AA-ONHP-2020/1 2022
AA-ONHP-2020/2 2022
AA-ONHP-2020/3 2022
AA-ONHP-2021/1 2022
AA-ONHP-2021/2 2022
West Bengal BP-ONHP-2018/1 2019 Nil Nil
BP-ONHP-2019/1 2020
BP-ONHP-2019/2 2020
BP-ONHP-2021/1 2022
Offshore AN-OSHP-2018/1 2019 Nil Nil
AN-OSHP-2018/2 2019
GK-OSHP-2018/1 2019
GK-OSHP-2018/2 2019
KG-UDWHP- 2019
2018/1
MN-OSHP-2018/1 2019
KK-OSHP-2018/1 2019
MB-OSHP-2018/1 2019
MB-OSHP-2018/2 2019
MN-DWHP-2018/1 2019
CY-UDWHP- 2020
2019/1
GS-OSHP-2019/1 2020
MB-OSHP-2019/1 2020
MB-OSHP-2020/1 2022
MB-OSHP-2020/2 2022
AN-UDWHP- 2022
2020/1
Offshore AN-UDWHP- 2022 Nil Nil
2020/2
CB-OSHP-2021/1 2022
MB-OSHP-2021/1 2022
CB-OSHP-2021/2 2022
CY-UDWHP- 2022
2021/1
CB-OSHP-2021/3 2022
KG-UDWHP- 2024State OALP CBM
Block Year of Award Block Year of Award
2022/1
MB-OSHP-2022/1 2024
GK-OSHP-2022/1 2024
GS-DWHP-2022/1 2024
MN-UDWHP- 2024
2022/1
BP-OSHP-2022/1 2024
KK-DWHP-2022/1 2024
KK-OSHP-2022/1 2024
CY-UDWHP-2022/1 2025
CY-UDWHP-2022/2 2025
CY-UDWHP-2022/3 2025
GS-OSHP-2022/1 2025
GS-OSHP-2022/2 2025
GK-OSHP-2023/1 2025
CY-UDWHP-2023/1 2025
GS-UDWHP- 2025
2023/1
Offshore GS-UDWHP- 2025 NIL NIL
2023/2
GS-OSHP-2023/1 2025
MB-OSHP-2023/1 2025
CB-OSHP-2023/1 2025
MB-OSHP-2023/2 2025
CB-OSHP-2023/2 2025
MN-UDWHP- 2025
2023/1
MN-UDWHP- 2025
2023/2
KG-UDWHP- 2025
2023/1
KG-UDWHP- 2025
2023/2
MN-UDWHP- 2025
2023/3ANNEXURE II
ANNEXURE REFERRED TO IN REPLY TO PART (a) to (d) OF LOK SABHA
UNSTARREDQUESTION NO. 4672 TO BE ANSWERED ON 21.08.2025 REGARDING MAJOR
OIL EXPLORATION PROJECTS
State wise list of Discoveries during last five years (2020-21 to 2024-25)
Sr Name of Discovery Operator Year State Nature
No
1 KW2-Updip-1 Vedanta 2020-21 Rajasthan Oil
2 KGD982NA-CHN-B#1 (AA) ONGC 2020-21 offshore Gas
3 AWEL-A-1 AWEL 2020-21 offshore Gas
4 Dinjan-1 OIL 2020-21 Assam Gas
5 Kunjban-13 (KUDD) ONGC 2020-21 Tripura Gas
6 Kavitam South-1 (KTAC) ONGC 2020-21 Andhra Pradesh Gas
7 Sundulbari-16 (SDAP) ONGC 2020-21 Tripura Gas
8 BS-17-1 (BS-17-A) ONGC 2020-21 offshore Oil & Gas
9 B-126N-1 (B-126N-A) ONGC 2020-21 offshore Oil & Gas
10 GK-28-14 (GK-28-P) ONGC 2020-21 offshore Gas
11 WO-5-13 (WO-5-I) ONGC 2020-21 offshore Oil & Gas
12 Borhapjan-8 OIL 2021-22 Assam Oil
13 Samdang-5 OIL 2021-22 Assam Gas
14 Jaya-1 Vedanta 2021-22 Gujarat Gas
15 Durga-1 Vedanta 2021-22 Rajasthan Oil
16 Mohini-1 Pan India 2021-22 Gujarat Oil
17 South Velpuru-2 (SVLAB) ONGC 2021-22 Andhra Pradesh Oil
18 Gopawaram Deep-1 (GMD-AA) ONGC 2021-22 Andhra Pradesh Gas
19 VGN-1 (VGN-A) ONGC 2021-22 offshore Oil & Gas
20 SD-4-4 (SD-4-D) ONGC 2021-22 offshore Oil & Gas
21 FB-1 Vedanta 2022-23 Gujarat Oil
22 RE-7 Vedanta 2022-23 offshore Oil
23 Kankpul-1(K-WB-C) ONGC 2022-23 West Bengal Gas
24 RF-10 Vedanta 2022-23 offshore Oil
25 MBS171HAA-1 ONGC 2022-23 offshore Gas
26 Mandapeta-60 ONGC 2022-23 offshore Gas
27 Malleswaram-22 ONGC 2022-23 offshore Gas
28 Kesanapalli West Deep-7 ONGC 2022-23 offshore Oil & Gas
29 Karugorumilli-1 ONGC 2022-23 offshore Gas
30 GS-15-22(AU) ONGC 2022-23 offshore Gas
31 Hatipoti-1 ONGC 2022-23 Assam Oil & Gas
32 Sesabill-1 OIL 2022-23 Assam Oil
33 MBS182HDA-1 (Moonga) ONGC 2023-24 offshore Oil
34 MBS181HCA-1 (Moti) ONGC 2023-24 offshore Oil & Gas
35 Pukhraj (ST-6) ONGC 2023-24 offshore Oil & Gas
36 Gopavaram-21 (GMDL) ONGC 2023-24 Andhra Pradesh Oil
37 South Mahadevapatinam-2 ONGC 2023-24 Andhra Pradesh Gas
38 Chitbari-1 (GOAI_Sub) ONGC 2023-24 Assam Gas
39 Talamura-3 (TMAB) ONGC 2023-24 Tripura Gas
40 East Lakhibari-6 (ELDA) ONGC 2023-24 Assam Oil
41 MDW-27 (Utkal) ONGC 2023-24 offshore Gas
42 West Amod#1 ONGC 2023-24 Gujarat Oil43 MDW-26 (Konark) ONGC 2023-24 offshore Gas
44 South Baghjan-10 OIL 2023-24 Assam Oil
45 RANAGHAT ONGC 2024-25 West Bengal Gas
46 PURN-1 ONGC 2024-25 Gujarat Oil
47 MBS191HDA-1 (Neelmani) ONGC 2024-25 offshore Gas
48 CHOLA-1 ONGC 2024-25 offshore Gas
49 Rudra Vedanta 2024-25 Assam Oil
50 West Matar-2 (MRAX) ONGC 2024-25 Gujarat Oil & Gas
51 Chandramani (B-56-2) ONGC 2024-25 offshore Gas
52 Yandapalli-1 (YPAA) ONGC 2024-25 Andhra Pradesh Oil & Gas
53 Mechaki-6 OIL 2024-25 Assam Oil
54 Mechaki-7 OIL 2024-25 Assam Gas