India’s Energy Gold Rush: 50 E&P Blocks Hit the Market

India has achieved a major milestone in its energy sector by offering 50 new exploration and production (E&P) blocks across oil, gas, and coal bed methane (CBM) assets.

Union Minister for Petroleum and Natural Gas, Hardeep Singh Puri, described the move as a transformative step to enhance the country’s energy security and unlock its domestic hydrocarbon potential. The offered blocks include 25 under the Open Acreage Licensing Policy (OALP-X), 55 fields in the Discovered Small Field (DSF-IV) bid round, and additional blocks under the Special CBM Bid Rounds for 2025 and 2026. Minister Puri highlighted that the initiative demonstrates India’s openness to both domestic and global investors and reflects the leadership vision of Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

The new framework offers exploration rights throughout the contract period, revenue-sharing arrangements, and incentives for deepwater and CBM exploration. As Minister Puri noted, “The quest to unlock the potential of India’s sedimentary basins gains a new thrust and momentum.”

News by Rahul Yelligetti.