What's Happening?
At the 15th Biennial International Conference and Exposition of the Society of Petroleum Geophysicists (SPG-India) 2025, India's Petroleum and Natural Gas Secretary, Pankaj Jain, emphasized the need for
bold and time-bound exploration strategies. These strategies are aligned with the National Deepwater Mission, aiming to achieve energy self-reliance. The conference, held in Jaipur, focused on the theme 'Rock to Cloud: GeoExploration Empowering Energy Evolution.' Jain highlighted the urgency of innovation and national responsibility in energy exploration, stressing that India must move beyond incremental progress. The Deep Ocean Mission, launched in 2021, aims to harness ocean resources sustainably and strengthen the Blue Economy.
Why It's Important?
India's push for energy self-reliance is crucial for its economic and strategic interests. By focusing on deepwater exploration, India aims to reduce its dependency on imported fossil fuels, thereby enhancing its energy security. The initiative aligns with global trends towards sustainable energy solutions and technological innovation in exploration. The conference underscored the importance of collaboration between academia, industry, and government to accelerate discoveries and leverage India's vast sedimentary basins. This approach could position India as a leading destination for energy exploration, attracting investments and fostering technological advancements.
What's Next?
The National Deepwater Mission will continue to focus on discovering new oil and gas reserves under the sea. The Indian government, along with key industry players like ONGC and Oil India Ltd., will likely increase investments in technology-driven exploration methods. These efforts are expected to include advancements in seismic imaging, AI-driven data interpretation, and analytics. The ongoing reforms, such as the Open Acreage Licensing Policy and Hydrocarbon Exploration and Licensing Policy, will support these initiatives. The success of these strategies could lead to significant breakthroughs in India's energy sector, contributing to its long-term energy independence goals.
