Archive · 26 Aug 2026
Puri, ExxonMobil Chief Discuss India Oil Exploration Opportunities
India wants companies to look for more oil and gas.
Minister Hardeep Singh Puri met Scott Sandlin from ExxonMobil.
They talked about places where exploration could happen.
Their discussion included OALP Round 10 and the Eastern Offshore.
India has opened about 1 million square kilometers of areas that were previously called “No Go” zones.
Puri said these areas can now be considered by international investors.
He linked this change to a new oilfields law, new petroleum and natural gas rules, and government reforms.
ExxonMobil is an international oil and gas company involved in the discussion.
Petroleum Minister Hardeep Singh Puri met ExxonMobil India Country Chair Scott Sandlin.
They discussed oil and gas exploration opportunities in India.
The talks focused on OALP Round 10 and the Eastern Offshore.
Puri said about 1 million square kilometers of previously designated “No Go” areas had been opened.
He said new laws, rules and administrative reforms created an investor-friendly upstream framework.
- Who
- Petroleum and Natural Gas Minister Hardeep Singh Puri and Scott Sandlin, ExxonMobil’s India Country Chair for upstream operations.
- What
- They held a discussion on oil and gas exploration opportunities in India.
- When
- Tuesday.
- Where
- New Delhi; the exploration opportunities discussed were in India, including the Eastern Offshore.
- Why
- To discuss opportunities under Open Acreage Licensing Policy Round 10 and in the Eastern Offshore.
- Participants
- Hardeep Singh Puri and Scott Sandlin
- Company
- ExxonMobil
- Exploration framework
- Open Acreage Licensing Policy Round 10
- Area discussed
- The Eastern Offshore
- Area opened
- Around 1 million square kilometers of previously designated “No Go” areas
- Legal change
- The Oilfields (Regulation and Development) Amendment Act, 2025
- Other reforms
- New petroleum and natural gas rules and empowered Committee of Secretaries reforms