Archive · 29 Sep 2026
Hardeep Puri Says Andaman Exploration Could Transform India’s Energy Future
India imports most of the crude oil it uses.
The government wants to search for more oil and gas inside the country.
It plans to spend Rs 84,700 crore on about 150 deep-sea wells.
Deep-sea drilling is expensive because rigs can cost about $250,000 each day.
One well drilled under the programme has already found gas.
Hardeep Singh Puri believes the Andaman basin may contain important resources.
He compared this possibility with Guyana, where many unsuccessful wells came before a major discovery.
The government has also opened more areas for exploration.
These efforts are intended to improve India’s energy security over time.
Hardeep Singh Puri identified the Andaman basin as a potentially important frontier for India’s oil and gas exploration.
The government has allocated Rs 84,700 crore for about 150 deep-sea wells, according to Puri.
Puri said India’s first well under the exploration programme had encountered gas.
Previously restricted areas covering about 1 million square kilometres have reportedly been opened for exploration and production.
Puri compared India’s prospects with Guyana, where he said a major discovery followed dozens of unsuccessful wells.
- Who
- Union Petroleum and Natural Gas Minister Hardeep Singh Puri and the Indian government.
- What
- India is expanding deep-sea and frontier oil and gas exploration, including in the Andaman basin.
- When
- Puri made the comments while speaking at the Republic summit; the articles do not provide a specific date.
- Where
- The exploration focus includes India’s Andaman basin and other sedimentary basins.
- Why
- The government aims to increase domestic production and reduce India’s dependence on imported crude oil.
- Deep-sea allocation
- Rs 84,700 crore
- Planned wells
- Around 150 deep-sea wells
- Estimated well cost
- About $100 million per well
- Drilling rig cost
- About $250,000 per day to lease
- India’s crude import dependence
- Around 88-89%
- Sedimentary basin area
- About 3.5 million square kilometres
- Previously restricted area
- Around 1 million square kilometres reportedly opened for exploration and production
- Initial exploration result
- The first well drilled by ONGC under the programme encountered gas