The government is offering twenty-one new oil and gas exploration blocks covering 80,228 square kilometres under the Open Acreage Licensing Policy (OALP-XI). The move forms part of the government’s broader strategy to boost domestic hydrocarbon production and reduce reliance on imported energy. The newly announced blocks span a variety of geological settings, including onshore, shallow water, deepwater, and ultra-deepwater areas, across several sedimentary basins in the country.
Expanding Exploration Acreage
With the launch of OALP-XI, the government continues to expand the acreage available for hydrocarbon exploration in India. When combined with the OALP-X round, which offered around 182,589 square kilometres, the total exploration area currently available for bidding rises to approximately 262,817 square kilometres. By steadily increasing the exploration footprint, authorities aim to accelerate discoveries and strengthen the country’s domestic oil and gas output.
Bidding Timeline and Process
The bidding process for OALP-XI officially opened on March 30, 2026, and interested companies can submit bids until May 29, 2026. Under the Open Acreage Licensing Policy, exploration companies can identify and propose blocks of interest throughout the year. The government then periodically offers these areas for competitive bidding, allowing greater flexibility for investors and operators. The approach has been designed to attract global energy companies and encourage faster exploration activity across India’s sedimentary basins.
Supporting India’s Energy Security
The expansion of exploration acreage is a key element of India’s long-term energy security strategy. By increasing domestic oil and gas production, the government hopes to reduce the country’s heavy dependence on imported crude oil and natural gas. India currently imports a large portion of its energy requirements, making domestic exploration and production crucial for economic stability and energy resilience.
Government Push for Self-Reliance in Energy
Union Petroleum and Natural Gas Minister Hardeep Singh Puri highlighted the strategic importance of the initiative. “With OALP Round-XI now live, we unlock vast frontiers beneath our land and seas – powering growth, resilience, and self-reliance,” he said. As reported by projectstoday.ai, the government expects that continued expansion of exploration opportunities under the OALP framework will strengthen India’s upstream sector, attract new investments, and accelerate hydrocarbon discoveries in the coming years.
