India's Hydrocarbon Outlook – 2022-2023

20 DGH: 3 DECADES OF UNLOCKING INDIA'S HYDROCARBON POTENTIAL the 2010s Major gas discoveries made in East Coast and Oil discoveries in Rajasthan wereput onproduction. TheGovernment initiated theprocess of establishing a National Data Repository (NDR) which was a pre-requisite for Open Acreage Licensing Policy (OALP) to award of blocks for exploration on a regular basis and impart flexibility to the bidding system. Production Sharing Contracts (PSCs) for 19 exploration blocks in onland, shallow/deep water areas during NELP-IX biding round signed in 2012. A memorandum of understanding with the Department of State in the US in 2010-11 was signed to aid in resource assessment and policy formation for shale gas exploration and production. To understand the prospectivity and untap the Shale Gas and Oil resource potential in India, Shale gas and Oil exploration policy was launched in 2013. Policy for geo-scientific data generation for Hydrocarbons in Indian sedimentary basins launched in 2014 that allowed Service Provider to carry out Multi- Client Survey (Non- exclusive Multi-client Model). NGHP carried out the expedition-02 in 2015 and was successfully completed. Under NGHP-02, 42 holes were drilled at 25 sites in KG and Mahanadi Basin. Sand reservoirs with gas hydrate were located at two places in KG Basin and the considered to be prospective for future production testing. The National Data Repository (NDR) was launched in 2017-18 to consolidate and archive all geo-scientific data and provide an e-platform for investors to access and purchase exploration and production data. A re-assessment of hydrocarbon resources was carried out by a Multi Organization Team (ONGC, OIL & DGH) in 2017-18 in all 26 sedimentary basins and the reassessed conventional hydrocarbon volumes estimated were approximately 42 billion tons of oil and oil equivalent gas, signifying a 49.1% increase in resource estimates. The government introduced the Discovered Small Field Policy-2015 to increase domestic production and monetize hydrocarbon resources. In a bid to acquire more data about unexplored and unapprised areas with hydrocarbons prospectivity, a the 2000s DGH played an important role in bringing more areas under hydrocarbon exploration through various geoscientific surveys and other related policies. Production Sharing Contracts (PSCs) for 211 exploration blocks in onland, shallow/deep water areas under NELP-II to NELP-VIII rounds were signed. First CBM bidding round commencing in 2001. Subsequently, there were 3 other bidding rounds in 2003, 2005, and 2008. 29 CBM blocks were awarded through these rounds and an additional 2 blocks were awarded on nomination basis. One block was awarded under the Foreign Investment Promotion Board Route. NGHP carried out the expedition-01 in 2006. Under NGHP-01, 39 holes were drilled to explore the presence of gas hydrate at 21 sites in Krishna-Godavari (KG), Mahanadi, Andaman, and Kerala-Konkan Basin. The presence of significant quantities of Gas Hydrate has been established in the KG, Mahanadi, and Andaman basins. The perception about India being a less favoured destination underwent a paradigm shift. Many companies viewed India as an attractive business destination for oil and gas and brought new technology from across the globe to search hydrocarbons. The investment in the sector also went up substantially. The petroleum sector has seen several key discoveries including the Mangala Oil Field in Rajasthan Basin, MA oil field in KG offshore, and D1 & D3 Gas fields in KG Offshore and Discoveries in KG-DWN-98/2 block by ONGC. DGH has taken several initiatives during the year to further open new areas by acquiring 2D speculative surveys, reprocessing of old seismic data and promoting Indian exploration acreages for systematic exploration. DGH started taking steps to establish the National Data Repository (NDR) that will cater to the needs of the E&P sector and academicians for geo-scientific data requirement which will be made available to help national & international companies looking for opportunities in India.