India set to explore over 2.5 lakh sq kms area in one of largest offshore energy efforts
Open Acreage Licensing Programme
(OALP) Round X, Minister of Petroleum and Natural Gas,
Hardeep Singh Puri
, said on Wednesday.
'We are ready! For entering a new era of energy… In the field of oil and gas exploration and production, there are no longer obstacles, only possibilities,' the minister said in a post on X.
In this regard, Hardeep Puri attended a meeting of the Offshore Energy Cluster in Bergen, Norway.
'The bold decision taken by PM Narendra Modi on the 'no go' area is not only enhancing the country's energy strength but also preparing India to lead a major transformation in the energy sector,' said the minister.
The union minister also met Kristian Sorensen, CEO of
BW-LPG
which is the world's leading owner and operator of LPG vessels, owning and operating Very Large Gas Carriers (VLGC) with a total carrying capacity of over 4 million CBM.
'The company is among the leaders in LPG shipping, accounting for 20 per cent of LPG imports into India. In our meeting in the Norwegian capital Oslo, we discussed ways of further strengthening the collaboration between BW-LPG and Indian energy companies,' said Hardeep Puri.
Meanwhile, the oil and gas blocks being offered under the OALP has already garnered attention from global and domestic energy players, and Round X is expected to set new benchmarks for participation and investment.
The Petroleum Ministry has invited feedback and suggestions on Draft Petroleum and Natural Gas Rules, Model Revenue Sharing Contract (MRSC) and Petroleum Lease before July 17, 2025 as part of the country's focus to accelerate the oil and gas sector.
Hardeep Puri is slated to engage with ministers, officials and industry leaders at 'Urja Varta 2025' at Bharat Mandapam on July 17 in the run-up to India's Round X of exploration and production bidding for oil and gas blocks, which is the biggest globally.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Time of India
16 hours ago
- Time of India
E20 rollout achieved ahead of schedule; govt eyes higher ethanol blends, SAF adoption: Puri
India has achieved 20 per cent ethanol blending in petrol five years ahead of the revised 2025 target, Petroleum and Natural Gas Minister Hardeep Singh Puri said on Friday, adding that the government will now move towards higher ethanol blends and sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) adoption in a phased manner. Speaking at the Pioneer Biofuels 360 Summit, Puri said ethanol blending was at just 1.53 per cent in 2014 and reached 10 per cent by 2022, five months ahead of the original schedule. 'The target of E20 by 2025 has already been met in the current ethanol supply year,' he said, crediting policy reforms such as guaranteed ethanol pricing, allowing multiple feedstocks and rapid capacity expansion. He said the transition to E20 had taken place without any reported cases of engine breakdowns in the past 10 months. 'Some lobbies with vested interests are attempting to create confusion, but the shift is backed by policy, industry readiness and consumer acceptance,' he said, citing Brazil's example of running on E27 fuel. Puri said E20 has saved over ₹1.4 lakh crore in foreign exchange, reduced greenhouse gas emissions and improved air quality. Over the past 11 years, ethanol procurement has provided ₹1.21 lakh crore in income to farmers and reduced crude imports by 238.68 lakh metric tonnes. Maize-based ethanol now accounts for 42 per cent of the supply, up from zero in 2021–22. On flex-fuel vehicles, he said Indian automakers have developed prototypes for E85-compatible models and higher blends like E25, E27 and E30 will be introduced gradually, supported by BIS norms and fiscal incentives. Outlining plans for SAF, Puri said India has set a 1 per cent blending target for international flights by 2027 and 2 per cent by 2028. Indian Oil Corporation 's Panipat refinery is already producing SAF from used cooking oil, he said.
Time of India
20 hours ago
- Time of India
'India Moving Towards Energy Self-Sufficiency': Hardeep Puri Amid Trump Threat Over Russian Oil
/ Aug 09, 2025, 12:06PM IST Union Petroleum Minister Hardeep Singh Puri has laid out the stark reality of India's energy battle, the nation is pushing toward self-sufficiency, but the road is long. With 80% of crude oil and 50% of natural gas still imported, and Donald Trump's tariff hikes adding fresh global pressure, India is expanding its domestic production through new refineries, exploration, and 113 operational compressed biogas plants. From diversifying imports across 40 countries, including Russia, to expanding CNG-ready vehicles and LPG access for over 33 crore households, India's strategy is a mix of innovation, resilience, and global diplomacy. This is how India plans to power its future while navigating an energy storm.#hardeepsinghpuri #petroleummminister #indiacleanenergy #biofuels #cbgplants #cngcarsindia #lpgconnections #ujjwalayojana #lpgimports #oilimportsindia #naturalgasproduction #energysecurity #atmanirbharbharat #indiaoildemand #fuelproduction #energysummit #renewableenergy #pioneerbiofuels360 #indiaenergynews #indianrefineries #breakingnews #trending #trendingnow #toi #bharat #toibharat #indianews
Time of India
a day ago
- Time of India
E20 rollout achieved ahead of schedule; govt eyes higher ethanol blends, SAF adoption: Puri
New Delhi: India has achieved 20 per cent ethanol blending in petrol five years ahead of the revised 2025 target, Petroleum and Natural Gas Minister Hardeep Singh Puri said on Friday, adding that the government will now move towards higher ethanol blends and sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) adoption in a phased manner. Speaking at the Pioneer Biofuels 360 Summit, Puri said ethanol blending was at just 1.53 per cent in 2014 and reached 10 per cent by 2022, five months ahead of the original schedule. 'The target of E20 by 2025 has already been met in the current ethanol supply year,' he said, crediting policy reforms such as guaranteed ethanol pricing, allowing multiple feedstocks and rapid capacity expansion. He said the transition to E20 had taken place without any reported cases of engine breakdowns in the past 10 months. 'Some lobbies with vested interests are attempting to create confusion, but the shift is backed by policy, industry readiness and consumer acceptance,' he said, citing Brazil's example of running on E27 fuel. Puri said E20 has saved over ₹1.4 lakh crore in foreign exchange, reduced greenhouse gas emissions and improved air quality. Over the past 11 years, ethanol procurement has provided ₹1.21 lakh crore in income to farmers and reduced crude imports by 238.68 lakh metric tonnes. Maize-based ethanol now accounts for 42 per cent of the supply, up from zero in 2021–22. On flex-fuel vehicles, he said Indian automakers have developed prototypes for E85-compatible models and higher blends like E25, E27 and E30 will be introduced gradually, supported by BIS norms and fiscal incentives. Outlining plans for SAF, Puri said India has set a 1 per cent blending target for international flights by 2027 and 2 per cent by 2028. Indian Oil Corporation's Panipat refinery is already producing SAF from used cooking oil, he said.
