India's Hydrocarbon Outlook – 2022-2023

25 DGH: 3 DECADES OF UNLOCKING INDIA'S HYDROCARBON POTENTIAL Parameter NELP I NELP II NELP III NELP IV NELP V NELP VI NELP VII NELP VIII NELP IX Total Year of launch 1999 2000 2002 2003 2005 2006 2007 2009 2010 No. of Blocks Offered 48 25 27 24 20 55 57 70 34 360 No. of Blocks Bid For 28 23 24 21 20 52 45 36 33 282 No. of blocks awarded 25 23 23 21 20 52 44 34 19 261 Blocks Awarded/ Blocks offered 52% 92% 85% 88% 100% 95% 77% 49% 56% 73% No. of PSCs signed 24 23 23 20 20 52 41 32 19 254 Area Awarded Lakh Sq. KM 2.3 2.6 2.0 1.9 1.1 3.1 1.1 0.5 0.3 15.0 2. New Exploration Licensing Policy (bidding rounds during 1999 -2012) Since its inception in February 1999, the New Exploration & Licensing Policy (NELP) has revolutionized the exploration sector by instituting a competitive bidding system for exploration blocks. This has leveled the playing field for National Oil Companies (NOCs) by pitting them against Indian and foreign companies, ensuring fair and equal opportunity for all to secure Petroleum Exploration acreages. NELP has facilitated the awarding of 254 blocks to Indian, private and foreign companies through an International Competitive Bidding Most of the gas discoveries in India have been made in shallow water offshore and deepwater blocks located mainly in Eastern Offshore areas. These discoveries include several gas discoveries made by ONGC, RIL, and GSPC in Mahanadi-North East Coast, Krishna-Godavari, and Cauvery basins. These discoveries have propelled India onto the deepwater oil and gas map of the world, cementing its position as a global player in the exploration and production of hydrocarbons. 3. Coal Bed Methane Policy and bidding rounds The government also formulated the CBM Policy in 1997, with the first CBM bidding round process. Moreover, deepwater exploration, which is considered the final frontier in oil and gas exploration, has witnessed significant discoveries. These discoveries have had a profound impact on the oil and gas sector in India, accelerating the pace of exploration, and bringing in deep-water oil and gas production, infusion of technology, and investment in the E&P sector, among other benefits. About 1.50 Million Sq. Km was awarded through nine rounds of bidding. Production Sharing Contracts (PSCs) for 254 exploration blocks were signed for blocks awarded in onland, shallow/deep water areas. Details given below. 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. Special CBM Bid Round 2021 under OALP (SCBM-2021): The Government of India on 22 nd September 2021 launched the Special CBM Bid Round- 2021 under the Open Acreage Licensing Policy (OALP) offering 15 CBM Blocks covering 8458 sq. km. with ~700 BCM prognosticated CBM resource. International Competitive Bidding (ICB) for the 15 CBM blocks was concluded on 31.05.2022.