India launched a new oil and gas exploration round, opening 21 blocks covering 80,228 square kilometers under the Open Acreage Licensing Policy (OALP-XI). The announcement coincided with state-run Oil and Natural Gas Corporation beginning gas production from a major offshore project, representing a dual effort to boost domestic energy output.

OALP-XI Bidding Round Details

The latest bidding round includes 12 onland areas, four shallow water blocks, one deepwater block, and four ultra-deepwater blocks, spanning multiple sedimentary basins. The bidding process opened on March 30 and will close on May 29, 2026. With this round, the total area offered under OALP-X and XI together now stands at about 262,817 square kilometers.

The launch comes as bids for the previous OALP-X round are still underway, highlighting the government's continued focus on expanding acreage and accelerating exploration timelines. According to the Directorate General of Hydrocarbons (DGH), blocks in Category-I basins will be awarded based on revenue share and work commitments, while those in Category-II and III will be allocated based on proposed exploration programmes.

Government's Energy Security Push

Petroleum minister Hardeep Singh Puri said the move reflects a renewed push to unlock domestic resources. "With OALP Round-XI now live, we unlock vast frontiers beneath our land and seas, powering growth, resilience, and self-reliance," he said. The minister described the initiative as "a decisive step, fast-tracking bidding, expanding acreage, and strengthening India's energy security.

The quest to discover India's hidden energy wealth continues." The latest bidding round comes as the government seeks to expand exploration activity and reduce dependence on imports.

ONGC's Daman Upside Development Project

In a parallel development, ONGC has begun gas production from its Daman Upside Development Project (DUDP) in the Arabian Sea, adding to domestic supply. The company said the project achieved "a significant milestone by monetisation through flowing gas from Platform B-12-24P."

"This platform has been successfully commissioned and gas sent to Hazira Plant," ONGC said, adding that the project was completed in less than two years from the date of award. Located about 180 kilometers northwest of Mumbai and 80 kilometers south of Pipavav, the project is expected to produce 21.5 billion cubic meters of gas, with peak output of around 5 million standard cubic meters per day.

Project Infrastructure and Production Plans

ONGC said the development includes four wellhead platforms and 140 kilometers of pipelines, with production to be ramped up in phases. "This milestone marks the commencement of gas monetisation from the DUDP Production from all wells will be ramped up in a phased manner," the company said in a regulatory filing. The DUDP represents a significant addition to India's domestic gas production capacity, contributing to the country's efforts to increase energy self-reliance and reduce import dependence.

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