**Summary:**
This document summarizes the current status of offshore oil exploration in the Kerala-Konkan area, as of August 21, 2025. A total of three offshore blocks have been awarded for oil exploration in the Kerala Konkan Basin. One block (KKOSHP20181) was awarded to Oil India Limited (OIL) during Open Acreage Licensing Policy (OALP) Bid Round-III. Two blocks (KKOSHP2022/1 Shallow Offshore Block and KKDWHP2022/1 Deep Water Offshore Block) were awarded to Oil and Natural Gas Corporation Limited (ONGC) under OALP Round-VIII. All three OALP blocks are currently active. Regarding block KKOSHP20181 (OIL), a 3-dimensional (3D) seismic survey of 1,028 sq. km has been completed, and one location (Loc. OKKA) has been released for exploratory drilling.
Key Entities Referenced
Kerala Konkan Basin: A geological area of interest for offshore oil exploration.
Oil India Limited (OIL): A company involved in oil exploration activities, specifically awarded block KKOSHP20181.
Open Acreage Licensing Policy (OALP): A policy framework under which oil exploration blocks are awarded.
KKOSHP20181: A specific offshore block awarded to Oil India Limited (OIL) during OALP Bid Round III for oil exploration in Kerala Konkan Basin.
KKOSHP20221 Shallow Offshore Block: An offshore block awarded to Oil and Natural Gas Corporation Limited (ONGC) under OALP Round VIII.
KKDWHP20221 Deep Water Offshore Block: An offshore block awarded to Oil and Natural Gas Corporation Limited (ONGC) under OALP Round VIII.
Oil and Natural Gas Corporation Limited (ONGC): A company involved in oil exploration activities, specifically awarded blocks KKOSHP20221 and KKDWHP20221.
Kerala coast: The coastal area of Kerala State, India, relevant to offshore oil exploration activities.
LOK SABHA
UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 4635
TO BE ANSWERED ON 21st August, 2025
OFFSHORE OIL EXPLORATION IN KERALA COAST
4635. ADV. ADOOR PRAKASH:
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) the present status of offshore oil exploration in the Kerala-Konkan area;
(b) whether Oil India Limited (OIL) has signed a contract for oil exploration on the Kerala
coast; and
(c) if so, the details thereof along with the time by which exploration drilling is likely to be
started?
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) to (c): A total of three offshore blocks have been awarded for oil exploration in Kerala-
Konkan Basin. One (1) block, namely, KK-OSHP-2018/1, was awarded to M/s. Oil India
Limited (OIL) during Open Acreage Licensing Policy (OALP) Bid Round-III and two (2)
blocks, namely, KK-OSHP-2022/1 (Shallow Offshore Block) and KK-DWHP-2022/1 (Deep
Water Offshore Block) to M/s. Oil and Natural Gas Corporation Limited (ONGC) under
OALP Round-VIII. All three OALP blocks are presently active.
As regards block KK-OSHP-2018/1, awarded to M/s. OIL, the 3-dimensional (3D) seismic
survey of 1,028 sq.km. has been completed. One location (Loc.OKKA) has been released for
exploratory drilling.
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