Archive · 7 Aug 2025
India's Hydrocarbon Discoveries Surge: New Exploration Zones
India has found a lot of oil and gas recently!
Over the last ten years, they found 172 new spots, and 62 of those are in the ocean.
The government is now looking for more in areas they couldn't explore before.
They opened up a big area in 2022, especially near the Andaman and Nicobar Islands.
This area is interesting because it's like a special spot where the earth's layers are good for finding oil and gas.
They hope to find even more in the future!
India has seen 172 hydrocarbon discoveries in the last decade, with 62 offshore.
Exploration is expanding into former 'No-Go' zones due to policy changes.
The opening of nearly one million square kilometers of offshore 'No-Go' areas occurred in 2022.
The Andaman-Nicobar (AN) offshore basin is a key exploration frontier.
The AN Basin's geological setting is favorable for hydrocarbon accumulation.
- Who
- Union Petroleum Minister Hardeep Singh Puri and the Indian government.
- What
- 172 hydrocarbon discoveries, including 62 offshore, and expanding exploration in previously restricted areas.
- When
- Discoveries made in the last decade; the opening of 'No-Go' zones happened in 2022.
- Where
- Marine areas, including the Andaman-Nicobar offshore basin.
- Why
- To increase exploration and production of oil and gas.
- Total Hydrocarbon Discoveries
- 172
- Offshore Discoveries
- 62
- No-Go Zones Opened
- Nearly 1 million sq km
- Key Area
- Andaman-Nicobar offshore basin
- Minister
- Hardeep Singh Puri