State-run oil explorers Oil & Natural Gas Corporation (ONGC) and Oil India Ltd are set to launch an ambitious Rs 3,200 crore stratigraphic drilling campaign in untapped offshore areas. The initiative, slated to commence in early 2026, aims to bolster India's domestic hydrocarbon production and reduce its substantial import dependency.

Exploration Strategy

The campaign's first phase involves drilling four wells in deep-sea areas across diverse sedimentary basins:

• Andaman Basin
• Mahanadi Basin
• Saurashtra Basin
• Bengal Basin

ONGC plans to utilize its available rig for the drilling operations, which are expected to begin in early 2026.

BP's Technical Expertise

In a significant move, British oil major BP will provide technical expertise for the project. BP's role will be crucial in:

1. Identifying optimal drilling locations
2. Supporting drilling operations

The Indian government has agreed to compensate both ONGC and Oil India for the campaign costs, including BP's service fees.

Stratigraphic Drilling: Unveiling Geological Secrets

The primary objective of stratigraphic drilling is to study underground geological formations. This exploration technique helps determine whether areas contain commercially viable hydrocarbon resources. Each stratigraphic well is estimated to require:

• Three months for drilling
• Three to four quarters for results interpretation

Government Ownership and Future Plans

Currently, the government owns the blocks where drilling will take place. Any discoveries made during this campaign will be subject to government decisions on monetization methods.

Reducing Import Dependency

This exploration initiative aligns with India's broader strategy to reduce its hefty oil and gas import bill. Key statistics highlight the importance of this campaign:

By increasing domestic production, the government aims to significantly cut down on these import expenses.

Timeline and Expectations

With drilling set to commence in early 2026, the results of this extensive exploration campaign are eagerly anticipated by the energy sector. The findings could potentially reshape India's domestic oil and gas landscape, paving the way for reduced import dependency and enhanced energy security.

As this strategic initiative unfolds, it marks a significant step in India's quest for energy self-sufficiency, combining state-run expertise with international technical knowledge in the exploration of promising offshore reserves.

Oil & Natural Gas Corporation Limited (ONGC), India's leading oil and gas exploration and production company, has announced the re-appointment of Shri Praveen Mal Khanooja as Government Nominee Director for a three-year term. The decision was approved by ONGC's Board of Directors during a meeting held on September 18, 2025.

Re-appointment Details

Khanooja, who currently serves as Additional Secretary in the Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas (MoP&NG), will continue his role as Government Nominee Director for ONGC. His new term is set to begin on September 22, 2025, and will last for three years on a co-terminus basis or until further orders, whichever comes earlier.

About Praveen Mal Khanooja

Shri Praveen Mal Khanooja brings a wealth of experience and expertise to his role at ONGC:

• Educational Background: Holds a B.Tech in Chemical Engineering and an M.Tech in Management & Systems.
• Service Cadre: Belongs to the 1994 batch of Indian Audit & Accounts Service (IA&AS).
• Professional Experience:
  • Worked in various capacities in Defence Audit, Railways Audit, and State Government Accounts & Audit.
  • Conducted Compliance and Performance Audits for international organizations such as FAO, WIPO, WTO, GFMD, and UNITAID.
  • Served as a mentor on IT Audit for SAI officers in Asian countries.
  • Represented the CAG of India/Government of India at various international conferences and bilateral meetings.
  • Previously held positions including Director (Finance) for the Department of Revenue and Central Board of Excise & Customs, Expert in the State Audit Institution of Sultanate of Oman, Additional DG in the Central Economic Intelligence Bureau, and DG of Petroleum Planning & Analysis Cell.

Board Meeting Details

The ONGC Board meeting where this decision was made took place on September 18, 2025. The meeting commenced at 15:15 hours and concluded at 18:40 hours. The re-appointment was made in accordance with the letter no. CA-31032/1/2021-CA-PNG: 37493 issued by the Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas, Government of India.

ONGC has confirmed that Shri Khanooja is not debarred from holding office by virtue of any SEBI Order or any other authority. The company also stated that there are no relationships between directors that require disclosure.

This re-appointment underscores the continuity in ONGC's governance structure and the ongoing collaboration between the corporation and the Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas in steering India's oil and gas sector.