Oil and Natural Gas Corporation (ONGC) discovered natural gas in a deepwater exploratory well in the Mahanadi offshore basin, around 43 km off the Konark coast of Odisha. The discovery supports India’s efforts to expand domestic hydrocarbon production and strengthen its indigenous energy resource base.

Gas Found in Maiden Deepwater Campaign Well

ONGC made the discovery on September 18 in the MN-DW18-1-H-D well, the first well drilled under its current deepwater exploration campaign in the Mahanadi Basin as part of the government’s Samudra Manthan initiative. The company drilled the well to a target depth of 1,623 metres and encountered gas in the 1,441–1,452-metre interval. Subsequently, the well began flowing gas at encouraging rates while maintaining sustained reservoir pressure. However, ONGC will conduct further appraisal and commercial evaluation to determine the size and commercial viability of the discovery.

Discovery Could Support Early Development

The discovery’s proximity to the Odisha coast could support early monetisation, subject to further appraisal and commercial assessment. Moreover, ONGC plans to evaluate this discovery along with other finds in the region for potential development through shared facilities. This approach is enabled by the Petroleum and Natural Gas Rules, 2025, which provide a framework for using shared infrastructure for suitable offshore discoveries.

Building on Mahanadi Basin Exploration

ONGC began deepwater exploration in the Mahanadi Basin nearly two decades ago, with exploration activities starting in the MN-DWN-98/3 block in 2006. Since then, the company has carried out further deepwater drilling and identified estimated multi-trillion cubic feet (TCF) of gas resources, along with the Utkal and Konark offshore discoveries. As reported by newindianexpress.com, ONGC plans to continue exploring deep and ultra-deepwater frontiers for additional hydrocarbon resources. Consequently, the company expects such exploration to contribute to India’s broader objective of strengthening domestic energy security.

The board of Indian Oil Corporation Ltd (IOCL) approved an investment of ₹2,449 crore to lay, build and operate the 424.65-km Kochi–Kanyakumari–Thoothukudi Natural Gas Pipeline (KTPL). The pipeline will strengthen natural gas infrastructure in southern India and improve connectivity between key demand centres in Kerala and Tamil Nadu.

Pipeline to Offer 6.84 MMSCMD Capacity

The KTPL will have a total system capacity of 6.84 million metric standard cubic metres per day (MMSCMD), including common-carrier capacity. Of this, at least 1.71 MMSCMD will be available as common-carrier capacity, according to IOCL’s regulatory filing. This capacity will allow other eligible gas users and suppliers to access the pipeline network in accordance with applicable regulations.

PNGRB Authorises Kochi–Thoothukudi Pipeline

In April, the Petroleum and Natural Gas Regulatory Board (PNGRB) authorised IOCL to lay, build, operate and expand the Kochi–Kanyakumari–Thoothukudi Natural Gas Pipeline. The proposed pipeline will originate at the Kochi LNG Terminal in Kerala and extend to Thoothukudi in Tamil Nadu, covering approximately 425 km. With a system capacity of 6.84 MMSCMD, the project is expected to further strengthen natural gas transportation infrastructure across southern India.

Strengthening Southern India’s Gas Network

The project marks another step towards expanding the region’s natural gas infrastructure. As reported by thehindubusinessline.com, the pipeline will connect the Kochi LNG terminal with demand centres along the Kerala–Tamil Nadu corridor, supporting greater access to natural gas and the development of the regional gas network.

ELANTAS Beck India Ltd., provider of electrical insulation and electronic protection solutions, is strengthening its specialty chemicals capabilities for Battery Energy Storage System (BESS) applications. The company aims to support the growing requirements of India’s energy storage ecosystem as battery storage deployment expands.

Supporting India’s Growing BESS Ecosystem

ELANTAS is strengthening its engagement with BESS manufacturers, component suppliers and OEMs by combining material technologies, local application expertise and customer-focused development support. The company is also supporting critical energy-storage subsystems with selected locally manufactured materials, complemented by access to ELANTAS’ global technology portfolio and application expertise. Meanwhile, the expansion of renewable energy, rising demand for grid flexibility and the need for reliable backup power are increasing the importance of battery energy storage in India.

Specialty Materials for BESS Applications

As BESS manufacturing becomes increasingly localised, manufacturers also need greater access to specialised materials within India. These materials must help manage heat, protect sensitive electronics and provide reliable bonding, insulation and environmental protection throughout the system’s operating life. To address these requirements, ELANTAS draws on decades of experience in specialty chemicals for demanding electrical and electronic applications.

Its BESS material portfolio includes:

Thermally conductive adhesives

Thermal interface materials

Conformal coatings

Potting and encapsulation materials

These solutions can support applications across battery modules, battery management systems (BMS), power conversion systems, inverters, energy management electronics and cooling systems.

Focus on Thermal Management and Electronics Protection

Together, these specialty materials address several critical BESS requirements. They support thermal management and heat transfer, while also protecting electronic components from environmental conditions. In addition, ELANTAS’ solutions provide electrical insulation, bonding and encapsulation, helping manufacturers address multiple material requirements across BESS subsystems.

Building Local BESS Capabilities

According to Anurag Roy, Managing Director, ELANTAS Beck India Ltd., the company is applying its established chemistry expertise to emerging applications such as BESS. The company combines its R&D capabilities, application expertise and customer collaboration to develop solutions for evolving performance requirements while supporting greater localisation of critical materials and capabilities.

Expanding Specialty Chemicals Applications

The company’s BESS focus forms part of its broader strategy to build on its established expertise in electrical insulation while expanding into electronics protection, thermal management, bonding and other specialty-material applications. As per the press release, as industrial and energy systems become increasingly technology-intensive, ELANTAS continues to apply its chemistry and application expertise to emerging requirements. Consequently, the company aims to combine proven material technologies with evolving market needs and support the development of advanced manufacturing capabilities in India.

Attero operationalised its new R&D Centre of Excellence in Greater Noida, strengthening its capabilities in technology development, process innovation and automation. The centre will support the development and upgrading of technologies across Attero’s critical materials recovery, recycling, refining and mid-stream processing operations in India and international markets.

Focus on Advanced Mineral Recovery Technologies

The centre will develop advanced technologies for recovering materials from end-of-life batteries, electronic components and other complex secondary resources. In particular, its programmes will cover the recovery of rare earth elements and other high-value critical materials. In addition, Attero will focus on converting recovered materials into higher-value applications. The technology programmes will cover material extraction and recovery from recycled feedstocks and mid-stream inputs.

The centre’s technology development programme includes:

Robotics-based battery cutting systems

Advanced battery discharging technologies

Energy-efficient roasting equipment

Advanced filtration and drying systems

Automated material conveying systems

Safer and environmentally compliant ventilation and exhaust systems

DSIR Recognises Attero’s R&D Centre

The facility has received recognition from the Department of Scientific and Industrial Research (DSIR), Ministry of Science and Technology, as an in-house industrial R&D centre. The recognition is valid through March 2029. The centre becomes part of the Government’s recognised in-house industrial R&D framework. As per the press release, it also supports access to applicable Government facilitation for R&D-related procurement, including eligibility to seek customs-duty exemption on qualifying research equipment, instruments, spares and consumables, subject to prevailing Government notifications, eligibility requirements and approval procedures.

Building on Proprietary Technology

According to Nitin Gupta, Co-founder and CEO, Attero, the Centre of Excellence will strengthen the company’s ability to develop technologies for increasingly complex secondary resources and accelerate their transition from development to industrial application.

Attero has built a proprietary technology portfolio supported by more than 50 granted patents and over 200 patent filings globally. The new centre will further support its focus on indigenous technologies for critical mineral recovery, advanced recycling and refining.

Expanding Critical Mineral Recovery Capabilities

The Greater Noida centre builds on Attero’s existing expertise in mechanical and hydrometallurgical processing. The company has also received the CII Industrial Innovation Award 2025 and the Circular Economy Initiative Award at India Solar Week 2026 for its innovation initiatives. Meanwhile, Attero’s Roorkee facility in Uttarakhand has achieved recovery efficiencies of more than 98% and purity levels exceeding 99.9% across battery materials.

The Centre of Excellence will therefore complement Attero’s existing infrastructure by providing a dedicated platform for developing, testing and upgrading technologies. Subsequently, the company can deploy these technologies across its recycling, refining and mid-stream processing operations in India and global markets.

Glenmark Pharmaceuticals Ltd (Glenmark), a research-led global pharmaceutical company, received the Establishment Inspection Report (EIR) from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (U.S. FDA) for its formulations manufacturing facility in Goa, India. The facility received a Voluntary Action Indicated (VAI) classification following the inspection.

Inspection Conducted in June 2026

The U.S. FDA conducted the inspection at Glenmark’s Goa manufacturing facility from June 22 to June 30, 2026. Subsequently, the regulatory authority issued the EIR with a VAI status for the facility. As per the press release, the development provides an update on the regulatory status of Glenmark’s Goa formulations manufacturing operations following the U.S. FDA inspection.

India needs stronger collaboration between academia, government research laboratories and the pharmaceutical industry to strengthen its research ecosystem, said Pharma Secretary Manoj Joshi. Joshi said India currently lacks the level of interaction between industry and government research institutions seen in several major global pharmaceutical markets. He called for greater engagement between pharmaceutical companies and organisations such as the Department of Biotechnology (DBT), Council of Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR) and Department of Science and Technology (DST).

Strengthening the Research Ecosystem

Joshi highlighted the need to build stronger links between pharmaceutical companies and government laboratories. He noted that industry associations often focus their discussions on regulators and government officials, while research institutions receive less direct engagement. “There is a lot of distrust. I think we need to reduce that,” Joshi said, while also acknowledging that both government laboratories and industry may have areas that need improvement. According to him, India is missing an important component of the research ecosystem that has supported pharmaceutical development in the US, China and Europe. “Both the US and China and Europe have not grown without any government lab system or university lab system. We are lacking that in India,” he said. At the same time, Joshi stressed that India cannot rely solely on government or university laboratories. Instead, stronger partnerships between research institutions and private companies will be necessary to accelerate innovation.

Pharma Industry Urged to Increase R&D Investment

Joshi also called on pharmaceutical companies to increase their research and development (R&D) investments. At the same time, he said the government must work to accelerate regulatory approvals for innovative projects. “We wish that industry spends more on R&D and their approvals go very fast. That is something on us, but spending on us is on industry and let’s work together so that we can achieve that,” he said. This approach, he suggested, would require both industry and government to take responsibility for their respective areas while working towards a stronger pharmaceutical innovation ecosystem.

Government Considers Pharma Regulatory Changes

The government is discussing a broader overhaul of India’s pharmaceutical regulatory framework. Joshi expressed hope that significant changes could be introduced within the next one or two months. The proposed changes are aimed at improving the regulatory environment and supporting pharmaceutical innovation. Faster approvals could become particularly important as companies increase investments in research, manufacturing and emerging technologies.

Industry Sees Growing Investment and Risk-Taking

Joshi also highlighted signs of increasing risk appetite within India’s pharmaceutical sector. He said he was encouraged by companies investing in manufacturing facilities, contract research and development and manufacturing organisations (CRDMOs), and R&D activities. He also pointed to startups that are taking risks and exploring new opportunities. These investments could contribute to the development of a broader innovation ecosystem spanning research, manufacturing and commercialisation.

Pharma Industry Needs Clearer Policy Requests

Finally, Joshi urged pharmaceutical companies to make their requests to the government more specific. He noted that companies often make broad demands during public industry forums, while their discussions with government officials in private tend to be more detailed. As reported by thehindubusinessline.com, he encouraged the industry to present specific proposals and clearly defined requirements, which could help the government better understand industry challenges and develop targeted responses.

Engineers India Limited (EIL) is exploring new opportunities in the Gulf region as countries strengthen oil infrastructure and develop alternative routes and storage facilities. The state-owned engineering and consultancy company is in discussions with the United Arab Emirates (UAE) and Saudi Arabia for potential projects involving oil facilities, product pipelines, strategic storage, oil terminals and marine infrastructure. According to Chairman Atul Gupta, EIL expects to build an order pipeline of around $1 billion from the Gulf region over the next two to three years.

Gulf Nations Plan New Oil Infrastructure

The discussions come as Gulf countries assess infrastructure requirements amid disruptions linked to the ongoing West Asia conflict. EIL is involved at the planning stage of several potential projects and is preparing to support the engineering requirements as they progress. “We are already equipped with the engineering skills to cater to those requirements as and when it comes. They (Saudi Arabia and UAE) are planning (on oil infrastructure projects) and we are already involved at the planning stage to assist for such upcoming projects,” Gupta said. The company expects these projects to include infrastructure designed to support oil transportation, storage and marine operations while providing alternatives to routes affected by regional disruptions.

UAE Explores Underground Oil Storage

Meanwhile, the UAE is planning additional underground oil storage facilities at Fujairah, according to Gupta. Fujairah is an important oil storage and trading hub outside the Strait of Hormuz. Consequently, investments in additional storage and associated infrastructure could strengthen the UAE’s ability to manage oil supplies and logistics. EIL’s engineering and consultancy capabilities could support such projects as they move from planning to execution.

Conflict Creates Both Challenges and Opportunities

The West Asia conflict has affected EIL’s order inflows from the Middle East. However, the changing infrastructure requirements are also creating new opportunities for the company. As Gulf countries assess energy security, storage capacity and alternative infrastructure, EIL is positioning itself to participate in projects related to oil transportation, storage and terminals.

EIL Expands International Presence

Alongside its Gulf operations, Engineers India has expanded its international presence across several markets. The company currently has activities in Nigeria, Mongolia, Guyana, the UAE, Bahrain, Algeria and Kuwait. As reported by moneycontrol.com, through this wider international footprint, EIL aims to leverage its engineering and consultancy expertise across energy infrastructure projects while pursuing new opportunities in the global oil and gas market.

Dr Reddy’s Laboratories and Takeda Pharmaceutical Company, through its Indian subsidiary Takeda Biopharmaceuticals India, have signed a distribution agreement for QDENGA, Takeda’s dengue vaccine. Under the agreement, Dr Reddy’s will promote and distribute QDENGA across India’s private market for pediatric and adult vaccination. Subject to the completion of applicable regulatory processes, the vaccine is expected to become available in India during the first half of 2027. The collaboration follows QDENGA’s marketing authorisation from India’s Central Drugs Standard Control Organization (CDSCO) in July 2026 for individuals aged 4 to 60 years. The approval makes QDENGA the first dengue vaccine approved in India.

Dr Reddy’s to Lead Private-Market Distribution

Under the agreement, Dr Reddy’s will serve as the exclusive partner for the promotion and distribution of QDENGA in India’s private market for pediatric and adult vaccination. Meanwhile, Takeda will retain the rights to promote and distribute QDENGA in the public market. The company will also retain legal ownership of the vaccine and overall responsibility for its medical and brand oversight. Together, the companies will engage healthcare professionals and support disease awareness, vaccine promotion and distribution across India’s private market, in line with applicable regulatory requirements.

Dengue Remains a Public Health Challenge

The partnership comes as dengue continues to pose a significant public-health challenge in India. Reported dengue cases have increased substantially over the past two decades. Furthermore, a nationwide dengue surveillance study conducted by the Virus Research and Diagnostic Laboratory of the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) found that all four dengue virus serotypes — DENV-1, DENV-2, DENV-3 and DENV-4 — are circulating across multiple regions of India.

Companies Target Wider Access to Dengue Vaccination

MV Ramana, CEO – Global Generics, Dr Reddy’s Laboratories, said the introduction of India’s first approved dengue vaccine represents an important development for the country’s healthcare sector. “As the second-largest vaccine player in India, we believe the introduction of India’s first approved dengue vaccine is an important development for the country’s healthcare landscape,” he said. Ramana added that the collaboration with Takeda will help make QDENGA available to eligible individuals and contribute to efforts to address India’s dengue burden. Dr Mahender Nayak, Head of Intercontinental Markets, International Business Unit, Takeda, said the company remains focused on supporting India’s evolving healthcare needs and expanding access to dengue vaccination.

He also highlighted a recent recommendation by a Parliamentary Committee on Health to consider dengue vaccination under the Universal Immunization Program. According to Takeda, the recommendation reflects growing recognition of dengue as a public-health challenge.

QDENGA Uses Tetravalent Vaccine Technology

QDENGA, also known as TAK-003, is a live-attenuated tetravalent dengue vaccine. It uses a DENV-2 backbone along with structural proteins from DENV-1, DENV-3 and DENV-4. The vaccine is administered in a two-dose schedule, with the doses given three months apart. Takeda has evaluated QDENGA through a global clinical programme involving more than 60,000 participants across eight dengue-endemic countries.

QDENGA Approved in 43 Countries

Since 2022, Takeda’s dengue vaccine has received approval in 43 countries, with more than 32 million doses distributed worldwide through public and private vaccination programmes. In addition, the World Health Organization (WHO) has recommended QDENGA without pre-vaccination screening for use in high-endemic countries. The vaccine is also included in the WHO List of Prequalified Vaccines. As reported by themachinemaker.com, with the planned private-market distribution in India, Dr Reddy’s and Takeda will focus on expanding access to QDENGA among eligible pediatric and adult populations once the vaccine becomes commercially available.

Oil India planning to allocate around ₹15,000 crore over the next three years for deepwater exploration wells, according to Chairman and Managing Director Ranjit Rath. The proposed investment will focus on deepwater and ultra-deepwater blocks across four offshore basins: the Andaman, Krishna-Godavari, Mahanadi and Kerala-Konkan basins.

Oil India Builds Deepwater Exploration Portfolio

Rath described the ₹15,000-crore allocation as a preparedness budget rather than a fixed drilling schedule. The company has acquired approximately 48,000 sq km of deepwater and ultra-deepwater acreage, including two blocks each in the Krishna-Godavari and Mahanadi basins. Oil India has already completed 2D and 3D seismic surveys across these blocks and is currently processing the resulting data. In addition, the company is reprocessing older seismic data using updated technologies to improve its understanding of potential hydrocarbon resources. Overall, Oil India’s exploration footprint now covers more than 1 lakh sq km.

Government Scheme Supports Deepwater Exploration

The company’s deepwater exploration strategy also benefits from the government’s Samudra Manthan scheme, which provides partial financial support for eligible deepwater and ultra-deepwater exploration activities. Such support can help reduce the financial exposure associated with exploratory drilling, where companies face significant geological and commercial risks before confirming viable hydrocarbon discoveries.

Oil India Expands Clean Energy Portfolio

Alongside its hydrocarbon exploration activities, Oil India is also expanding its presence in clean energy, including solar power and compressed biogas. Rath highlighted the government’s GOBARdhan scheme, under which ₹23,731 crore of financial support was approved to promote India’s compressed biogas sector. The initiative focuses on converting agricultural waste and municipal waste into fuel and organic manure. Consequently, Oil India is pursuing opportunities across both conventional energy and emerging low-carbon fuel segments.

Numaligarh Refinery Expansion Nears Completion

Oil India’s subsidiary Numaligarh Refinery Limited (NRL) is progressing with its major refinery expansion. The project will increase the refinery’s annual capacity from 3 million tonnes to 9 million tonnes. According to Rath, the expansion is expected to be commissioned by 31 March 2027. Following commissioning, the expanded refinery is expected to require another nine to twelve months for stabilisation before reaching steady operations. As reported by findoc.com, the deepwater exploration programme, clean energy investments and refinery expansion together form key components of Oil India’s broader strategy to strengthen its energy portfolio and expand its long-term production and refining capabilities.

Brookfield will invest up to $600 million in ACME Cleantech Ventures to support the development and construction of ACME Group’s green molecule projects in India and West Asia. ACME Group announced the investment as the company advances a pipeline of green ammonia and green methanol projects across the region. The investment will support ACME’s efforts to develop scalable green molecule solutions for domestic and international markets. ACME Cleantech Ventures is a UK-based privately held entity within the ACME Group that focuses on developing the group’s green molecule projects.

ACME Expands Green Ammonia and Methanol Projects

ACME is developing new green ammonia and green methanol facilities in India and Oman. Through these projects, the company aims to strengthen its position as a developer of scalable and cost-competitive green molecule solutions. Meanwhile, ACME has established strategic offtake partnerships with several international and Indian companies. These include Yara International of Norway, IHI Corporation of Japan, Mitsubishi Gas Chemicals, Solar Energy Corporation of India (SECI), IFFCO, Paradeep Phosphates, Coromandel International and Indorama India. These long-term offtake arrangements can provide a commercial foundation for the development of large-scale green molecule projects.

Brookfield Enters Green Molecules Sector

Brookfield is making the investment through its Brookfield Global Transition Fund strategy, which targets opportunities that support the transition towards a net-zero carbon economy. The investment will help ACME develop green molecule projects that can support industrial decarbonisation across Asia and Europe. In addition, the partnership combines Brookfield’s institutional capital and global investment platform with ACME’s project development capabilities.

Focus on Regional Energy Transition

Nawal Saini, Managing Partner and Head of Energy for South Asia and the Middle East at Brookfield, said demand for green molecules is increasing as companies and governments seek scalable solutions to reduce emissions while strengthening energy security. “This investment marks Brookfield’s entry into the green molecules sector in the region and combines our global scale and institutional capital with ACME’s operating capabilities,” he added. According to Saini, ACME’s project pipeline provides an opportunity to participate in the growing energy transition market in India and West Asia.

ACME Targets Global Green Molecule Supply

Manoj Upadhyay, Chairman of the ACME Group, said green molecules are helping create new global supply chains for fuels and industrial feedstocks while also supporting the long-term energy security of countries. “As we develop our world-class green ammonia and other green molecule projects, we aim to accelerate cost-competitive decarbonisation and build a global platform serving customers in Asia, Europe and beyond,” he said.

Long-Term Offtake Supports Project Pipeline

ACME said its project portfolio is supported by long-term offtake agreements with established counterparties. These agreements are expected to provide a foundation for developing large-scale projects and generating long-term sustainable cash flows. As reported by thehindubusinessline.com, with Brookfield’s planned investment, ACME can further advance its green ammonia and green methanol pipeline while expanding its presence in the emerging green molecules market across India and West Asia.