What happened?
At the Open Acreage Licensing Policy (OALP) Round-IX and Special Discovered Small Field (DSF) Signing Ceremony, Petroleum Minister Hardeep Singh Puri announced the awarding of 28 exploration blocks and 2 DSF blocks covering 1.36 lakh sq. km—76% of which was opened since 2014. The government also launched OALP Round-X with 25 blocks and DSF Round-IV with 258.59 MMTOE reserves. The amended Oilfields Act came into effect, and a Joint Working Group report was released to address investor concerns.
Why it matters to India
With 88% crude oil and 50% gas import dependence, expanding domestic exploration is vital for energy security. The dramatic reduction of “No-Go” zones and the opening of 76% of current E&P areas since 2014 signal a policy shift toward faster approvals, transparency, and data-driven exploration. These reforms position India as a key future energy consumer while ensuring long-term sustainability, regulatory clarity, and investor confidence in the hydrocarbon sector.