Archive · 21 Dec 2025
Petroleum and Natural Gas Rules 2025 to Boost India's Energy Sector
The Indian government has introduced new rules called the Petroleum and Natural Gas Rules 2025.
These rules aim to make it easier and faster to produce oil and gas in India.
A big problem was that a new oil discovery in West Bengal couldn't start production because of a dispute over how much tax to pay.
The new rules have cleared up this confusion and set a time limit for approvals.
The government has also launched a big program called Mission Anveshan to explore for oil and gas across the country.
This program is using advanced technology to map areas where oil and gas might be found.
The government is also opening up more areas for exploration and has already found new oil and gas deposits.
All of these efforts are part of India's plan to become more self-sufficient in energy.
The Petroleum and Natural Gas Rules 2025 and the Oilfields (Regulation & Development) Amendment Act, 2025 have been introduced to boost domestic hydrocarbon production and energy security.
The new rules clarify the 'value of the lease' for oilfields and set a 180-day time limit for approvals, resolving disputes like the one in Ashok Nagar, West Bengal.
A single petroleum lease now covers exploration, development, production, and related activities, simplifying the process for companies.
Mission Anveshan, a Rs 792 crore seismic mapping program, aims to survey 20,000 ground line kilometres, with 8,000 GLK already surveyed.
India has opened up 1 million square km of offshore area for exploration, cleared 99% of 'No-Go' areas, and is offering 25 blocks under OALP-X, with 154 active exploration blocks and 14 new discoveries.
- Who
- Union Petroleum and Natural Gas Minister Hardeep Singh Puri
- What
- Introduction of Petroleum and Natural Gas Rules 2025 and the Oilfields (Regulation & Development) Amendment Act, 2025
- When
- Recently notified and passed into law
- Where
- India, with specific focus on Ashok Nagar in West Bengal and other sedimentary basins
- Why
- To strengthen and boost domestic production of hydrocarbons and achieve India’s energy security
- Minister
- Hardeep Singh Puri
- Act
- Oilfields (Regulation & Development) Amendment Act, 2025
- Approval Time Limit
- 180 days
- Exploration Program
- Mission Anveshan
- Program Cost
- Rs 792 crore
- Survey Target
- 20,000 ground line kilometres (GLK)
- Surveyed So Far
- 8,000 GLK
- Offshore Area Open for Exploration
- 1 million square km
- OALP-X Blocks
- 25
- Active Exploration Blocks
- 154
- New Discoveries
- 14
- ONGC Oil Production
- 34,000 barrels per day (BOPD)
- ONGC Gas Production
- 3 million metric standard cubic meters per day (MMSCMD)