India Speeds Up Oil, Gas Exploration; 2.5 Lakh Sq Km Area To Be Opened For Bidding: Hardeep Singh Puri

India is preparing to significantly expand domestic oil and gas exploration by opening around 2.5 lakh square kilometres of unexplored areas for bidding, Petroleum and Natural Gas Minister Hardeep Singh Puri has said in an interview to AFP, as reported by Moneycontrol. The move is part of the government’s strategy to strengthen energy security, reduce dependence on imported crude oil and tap untapped hydrocarbon reserves.

The announcement comes as India looks to safeguard its energy supplies following recent geopolitical tensions in the Middle East, which disrupted global oil flows and exposed the vulnerabilities of import-dependent economies.

India To Bid Out 2.5 Lakh Sq Km Of Exploration Area

Speaking in an interview with AFP as reported by MC, Puri said the government is in the process of offering

nearly 2,50,000 square kilometres (96,500 square miles) of unexplored acreage for oil and gas exploration.

The minister said the recent global energy disruption has reinforced the need to accelerate domestic exploration and production so that India is better prepared for future supply shocks.

Middle East Crisis Reinforced Energy Security Push

The renewed focus follows disruptions caused by conflict in the Middle East, which affected global energy supply chains and created temporary bottlenecks along key shipping routes, including the Strait of Hormuz.

The episode highlighted India’s heavy dependence on imported crude oil. Domestic production currently meets only about one-tenth of the country’s total oil demand, while consumption continues to rise with economic growth.

To reduce risks, India has expanded the number of countries from which it imports crude oil, helping diversify supply sources amid geopolitical uncertainty.

Offshore And Deepwater Exploration In Focus

A key part of the government’s strategy is to increase offshore and deepwater exploration, particularly in underexplored basins.

Puri described the Andaman and Nicobar basin as an “ocean of energy opportunities”, saying the region shares geological similarities with hydrocarbon-rich areas in Southeast Asia.

The government is also working with international energy companies and technical experts to support exploration in complex deepwater reserves, where extraction requires advanced technology, significant investment and longer development timelines.

Linked To Broader Infrastructure Plans

The exploration programme is aligned with the government’s wider infrastructure plans for the Andaman region, where multi-billion-dollar investments are being planned to strengthen both maritime capabilities and energy infrastructure.

The latest push also builds on the government’s earlier “Samudra Manthan” initiative launched by Prime Minister Narendra Modi to accelerate offshore oil and gas exploration through a mission-mode approach.

Energy Demand Rising Rapidly

India remains one of the world’s largest crude oil importers, and its energy requirements continue to grow alongside industrialisation and urbanisation.

According to Puri, India’s energy consumption is currently increasing at nearly three times the global average. He said exploration and production activities are expected to expand rapidly under the government’s investment programme, although developing oil and gas reserves remains a capital-intensive and time-consuming process.

The government’s latest exploration drive reflects its broader objective of improving energy security, lowering exposure to global supply disruptions and supporting the country’s long-term energy needs while sustaining economic growth.