Business · Energy & Commodities · 9 hrs ago
India extends deepsea oil and gas block bidding deadline to December 10
India has extended bidding for offshore oil and gas blocks in its 10th and 11th Open Acreage Licensing Policy rounds until December 10, 2026.
The blocks are in deepwater and ultra-deepwater areas, where exploration is technically complex and costly.
The extension is the seventh for the 10th round and the third for the 11th, reflecting the repeated delays in attracting bids for these areas.
The government recently set out the terms of its Samudra Manthan scheme, which can cover up to half of eligible deepsea drilling costs, subject to a limit of Rs 675 crore per well.
The scheme has an approved budget of Rs 84,084 crore through FY31 and aims to unlock more than 600 million tonnes of additional oil-equivalent resources.
Companies now have more time to assess the blocks and government support before submitting offers.
The bidding deadline for the deepwater and ultra-deepwater blocks is December 10; the sources give no further steps after that date.
India has extended the deadline for bids on deepwater and ultra-deepwater oil and gas blocks in its 10th and 11th licensing rounds to December 10, 2026.
The latest change is the seventh deadline extension for OALP-X and the third for OALP-XI.
The Directorate General of Hydrocarbons announced the new deadline but did not state a reason.
Industry sources said the extension may give companies more time to assess a government scheme that can cover part of eligible deepsea drilling costs.
The scheme has an approved outlay of Rs 84,084 crore through FY31.
- Who
- The Directorate General of Hydrocarbons extended the deadline for prospective investors bidding on the blocks.
- What
- The deadline for deepwater and ultra-deepwater block bids in OALP-X and OALP-XI was moved to December 10, 2026.
- When
- The extension was reported on November 9, 2026.
- Where
- The blocks are in India’s offshore exploration areas.
- Why
- The DGH did not state a reason. Industry sources said companies may need more time to assess the government’s offshore exploration support scheme.
This story does not have two clearly opposing sides.
India launched OALP-X, offering 25 blocks across 13 sedimentary basins.
India launched OALP-XI, offering 21 blocks across 11 sedimentary basins.
The Union Cabinet approved the Samudra Manthan National Offshore Exploration Scheme.
The government announced operating guidelines for the scheme.
The government extended deepwater and ultra-deepwater bid deadlines for OALP-X and OALP-XI to December 10.
- New deadline
- December 10, 2026
- OALP-X extensions
- Seventh extension for OALP-X; third for OALP-XI
- OALP-X blocks
- 25 blocks covering about 1,82,589 sq km
- OALP-XI blocks
- 21 blocks covering 80,234.49 sq km
- Scheme outlay
- Rs 84,084 crore through FY31
- Drilling support
- Up to 50 per cent of eligible deepwater exploration drilling costs, capped at Rs 675 crore per well