Indian Oil Corporation Limited (IOCL) and Bharat PetroResources Limited (BPRL), (BPCL’s wholly owned subsidiary) have marked a major milestone in their overseas upstream operations with multiple oil discoveries in Abu Dhabi’s Onshore Block 1. India operates the concession through a 50:50 joint special purpose vehicle, Urja Bharat Pte Limited (UBPL), reflecting its growing presence in international hydrocarbon exploration.
Strategic Entry into a Prolific Oil Region
UBPL was awarded the Onshore Block 1 Exploration Concession under Abu Dhabi’s 2019 Bid Round. The award marked a strategic entry for the Indian partners into one of the world’s most prolific oil-producing regions. The project has already delivered encouraging exploration results, underscoring the technical expertise and long-term global ambitions of both parent companies.
First Oil Discovery Confirms Unconventional Potential
In early 2024, UBPL reported its first oil discovery from the XN-76 exploratory well, drilled in the unconventional Shilaif play. Following successful hydrofracking operations, the well flowed light crude oil at surface from the Shilaif formation. “This discovery firmly establishes the presence of unconventional oil resources within the concession and materially enhances the block’s prospectivity,” the company said. The results have strengthened confidence in the asset, with appraisal activities now underway to validate its economic and commercial potential.
Second Discovery Opens New Reservoir Development
Adding to the success, UBPL announced another oil discovery during testing of the XN79-02S exploratory well in the same concession area. This well flowed light crude oil from the Habshan reservoir, marking the first oil find in this reservoir within Onshore Block 1. The discovery opens a new development avenue. Appraisal activities are planned to evaluate the find and potentially advance it toward commercial development.
Strengthening India’s Global Energy Footprint
These discoveries by UBPL reinforce the technical capabilities and strategic intent of IOCL and BPCL as global energy operators. As reported by businessupturn.com, India is establishing a foothold in Abu Dhabi’s prolific onshore basins. This move strengthens the country’s energy security and global upstream presence. It also opens avenues for future growth and collaboration in the oil sector
