Zillar Barta Desk,New Delhi: Union Minister for Petroleum and Natural Gas Hardeep Singh Puri has announced a series of measures to accelerate domestic oil and gas production, expand exploration activities and strengthen India's long-term energy security. The initiatives focus on unlocking untapped hydrocarbon resources, encouraging investment and reducing the country's dependence on imported energy.
Speaking at an industry event in New Delhi, Puri highlighted recent developments in India's upstream oil and gas sector, including the award of eight contracts under the Special Coal Bed Methane (CBM) Bid Rounds of 2025 and 2026. He also unveiled the India Hydrocarbon Outlook 2026, which outlines policy developments, investment opportunities and emerging prospects in the country's hydrocarbon industry.
The minister said the government has opened up substantial areas of India's sedimentary basins that were previously classified as restricted or “No-Go” zones for exploration. According to the figures he presented, nearly one million square kilometres of previously restricted offshore and onshore areas have been made available for exploration activities.
During the 2025–26 financial year, 674 wells were drilled across the country, including 131 exploratory wells and 543 development wells. The government is also working to encourage investment in new exploration projects and improve recovery from existing oil and gas fields.
Under the Open Acreage Licensing Policy (OALP), successive bidding rounds have offered extensive areas for hydrocarbon exploration, creating opportunities for domestic and international energy companies.
A key component of India's energy strategy is the Samudra Manthan Yojana, which aims to accelerate offshore and deepwater oil and gas exploration through government support and risk-sharing mechanisms.
The initiative has an approved Phase-I outlay of approximately ₹84,084 crore up to the financial year 2030–31. It is intended to support the drilling of around 150 wells over three years, helping companies explore challenging offshore locations that require substantial investment and advanced technology.
Puri has highlighted the importance of deepwater exploration in identifying new hydrocarbon reserves and improving India's domestic energy supply. The commencement of drilling operations in the Mahanadi Offshore Basin is among the recent developments associated with this broader effort.
The government is also looking to expand the production of unconventional gas resources, including coal bed methane. Puri announced the award of eight contracts under the latest special bidding rounds, describing the move as an important step towards tapping India's domestic gas potential.
India's coal bed methane resources are estimated at approximately 2,600 billion cubic metres. Greater development of these resources could diversify domestic gas supplies and create additional opportunities for investment in exploration, production and related infrastructure.
The India Hydrocarbon Outlook 2026 is expected to provide industry stakeholders with information about policy reforms, resource potential and opportunities across the sector.
India's growing demand for energy makes domestic production an important part of its long-term economic and strategic planning. Greater reliance on imported crude oil and natural gas exposes the country to international price fluctuations, geopolitical tensions and disruptions to supply routes.
The government's approach combines expanded oil and gas exploration with efforts to increase compressed biogas production, promote natural gas infrastructure and diversify the country's energy mix.
Puri has also stressed the need to increase domestic production while ensuring that energy remains accessible and affordable for consumers. However, the impact of the new initiatives will depend on exploration results, commercial viability, investment and the time required to bring newly discovered resources into production.
The latest announcements underline the government's intention to move towards a more intensive exploration and production phase. By opening additional areas for exploration, supporting deepwater drilling and encouraging the development of unconventional gas resources, India aims to strengthen its domestic energy capabilities.
While these measures are expected to create new opportunities for the energy industry, increased domestic production will require sustained investment, advanced technology and successful discoveries.
The government's broader objective is to build a more resilient energy system capable of meeting India's rising demand while reducing exposure to external supply disruptions.
