India is set to unlock its vast offshore energy through the National Offshore Exploration Scheme. This is a Central Sector Scheme of the Ministry of Petroleum & Natural Gas with an approved outlay of USD 1.78 million for implementation up to FY 2030–31.
It marks a landmark step towards strengthening India’s energy security, accelerating domestic exploration and production, promoting technological leadership.
The National Offshore Exploration Scheme encompasses a comprehensive set of interventions across the offshore exploration value chain.
It provides for large-scale acquisition, processing and interpretation of high-quality seismic data, accelerated deepwater and ultra-deepwater exploratory drilling, scientific drilling in frontier basins, development of common offshore production and evacuation infrastructure, and establishment of an integrated Oil & Gas Manufacturing and Services Zone.
The scheme also includes provisions for digital programme management, capacity building, technology adoption, stakeholder engagement and international outreach, creating an integrated ecosystem to accelerate offshore exploration and production in the country.
It is expected to catalyse reserve accretion of over 600 Million Metric Tons of Oil Equivalentv(MMTOE), substantially increase offshore exploration activity, promote higher domestic oil and gas production, generate large-scale employment, strengthen indigenous manufacturing, and foster a globally competitive ecosystem for offshore technologies and services.
The Scheme is also expected to stimulate significant investments across the exploration and production value chain, creating long-term opportunities for industry, innovation and economic growth.
Furthermore, the project represents a transformational national initiative that will unlock the country’s offshore energy resources, strengthen long-term energy security, deepen technological capabilities, and create enduring value for the economy and future generations.
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