In a bold step towards enhancing energy security and attracting investment in the exploration and production (E&P) sector, India has launched its largest oil and gas bid round. On Tuesday, Union Minister for Petroleum and Natural Gas, Hardeep Singh Puri, inaugurated the 10th round of bidding under the Open Acreage Licensing Policy (OALP) at the India Energy Week (IEW) 2025, held at the Yashobhoomi Convention Centre in New Delhi.
The new bid round offers 25 blocks spanning an area of 1.91 lakh square kilometers, predominantly in offshore regions. This is the largest offshore bid round India has ever seen, with 19 offshore blocks and six onshore blocks included in the offering. Of the total area, 1.75 lakh square kilometers are dedicated to offshore exploration, making up the lion’s share of the bid.
The 25 blocks are spread across 13 sedimentary basins and are categorized into three categories: Category-I (9 blocks), Category-II (11 blocks), and Category-III (5 blocks). A noteworthy feature of this round is that 16 of the 25 blocks—covering 97,919.6 square kilometers, or 51 percent of the area—were previously classified as ‘No-Go’ zones. This includes six onshore blocks, six in shallow water, one in deepwater, and 12 in ultra-deepwater areas. Importantly, 13 of the 25 blocks, totaling 1,33,724 square kilometers, are located in deepwater and ultra-deepwater regions, signaling a major push for more challenging and potentially high-reward exploration opportunities.
To further enhance transparency and streamline the bidding process, the government has rolled out a new e-bidding portal for OALP Round X, providing a secure and efficient platform for investors. This digital shift is expected to make it easier for companies to participate and do business in the sector.
In his address, Minister Puri urged international oil and gas companies attending the India Energy Week to consider investing in India’s growing E&P sector. This bid round comes on the heels of the Oilfields (Regulation and Development) Act passed in December 2024, which aims to simplify regulations and improve the investment climate for the sector. This legislation is expected to attract both domestic and foreign investment, fueling India’s ambitions to bolster its energy security and self-sufficiency.
This new bidding initiative reflects India’s proactive stance in securing its energy future while positioning itself as an attractive destination for global oil and gas investments.
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