India awards 28 blocks in largest OALP bid round

NEW DELHI, April 16, 2025 – India has awarded 28 oil and gas blocks under the Open Acreage Licensing Policy Bid Round-IX, the government said on Tuesday.

The awarded acreage covers 136,596 square kilometres across eight sedimentary basins, signalling a push to unlock new exploration frontiers. It includes 12 ultra-deepwater blocks.

In the Special Discovered Small Field Round, which attracted 60 bids, two blocks were awarded.

Minister of Petroleum and Natural Gas Hardeep S. Puri met with energy industry leaders during the contract signing ceremony for OALP Bid Round-IX, the Special DSF Bid Round 2024, and the launch of DSF Bid Round IV, held as the Oilfields (Regulation and Development) Amendment Act, 2025 came into force.

“This event marks a major milestone in India’s journey towards energy self-sufficiency and reflects the government’s strong commitment to unlocking the estimated 42 billion tonnes of oil and oil-equivalent gas potential lying untapped in Indian basins,” the petroleum ministry said.

India’s E&P sector has undergone significant reforms over the past decade, increasing explored sedimentary coverage from 6% to 10%, with a target of 15% by 2030, and reducing “No-Go” areas by 99%, according to the ministry.

These developments form part of India’s broader strategy to attract USD 100 billion in hydrocarbons investment by 2030, fostering sustainable sectoral growth.

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