Lok Sabha Question No. 596 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2025-02-06
Subject: Oil Exploration Activities along Kerala Coast
Ministry: PETROLEUM AND NATURAL GAS
Asked by: Shri Kodikunnil Suresh

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 596 TO BE ANSWERED ON 06 FEBRUARY, 2025

## Oil Exploration Activities along Kerala Coast

596: Shri Kodikunnil Suresh:

## पेůोिलयम और ÿाक ृ ितक गैस मंýी

Will the Minister of PETROLEUM AND NATURAL GAS be pleased to state:

- (a) whether the Government has undertaken or approved any oil exploration activities along the Kerala Coast;
- (b)  if  so,  the  details  of  the  exploration  projects,  including  the  areas  identified,  companies involved and timeline for completion;
- (c) the funds allocated and spent so far on these projects;
- (d) whether any environmental impact assessment have been conducted for these activities, and if so, the findings thereof;
- (e)  the  measures  being  taken  to  address  concerns  of  coastal  communities  and  stakeholders regarding the environmental and economic impact of oil exploration; and
- (f)  the  anticipated  outcomes  of  the  exploration  in  terms  of  oil  and  gas  reserves,  economic benefits and energy security for the country?

## ANSWER

पेůोिलयम और ÿाक ृ ितक गैस मंýालय म¤ राºय मंýी

( ®ी सुरेश गोपी )

## MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF PETROLEUM AND NATURAL GAS (SHRI SURESH GOPI)

(a) to (c) : Exploration and Production contracts have been awarded by the Government in the Kerala  Konkan  Basin  under  the  New  Exploration  Licensing  Policy  (NELP)  and  Open Acreages Licensing Policy  (OALP)  bid  rounds. Details of the blocks are given in Annexure-A .  The  cumulative expenditure by the operators in the NELP  blocks  is approximately USD 689.455 Million.

(d)  &  (e): Environmental  clearances,  including  coastal  zone  clearances  for  oil  and  gas exploration as per the laws for the time being in force are essential before commencement of the activities. This typically involves an Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) study after the  award.  The  EIA  process  involves  public  hearing  and  ensures  proper  assessment  of exploration  activities  on  environment  and  only  after  obtaining  necessary  environmental clearances, with necessary safeguards measures for environmental protection and compliance,  can  companies  commence  exploration  activities.  Exploration  and  Production activities are undertaken in synergy with steps to enhance the livelihood of the people in the region as well as to ensure minimal impact on the environment.

(f) : No Discovery was made in the blocks awarded under NELP regime. All the three Blocks awarded under OALP regime in Kerala Konkan Basin are under initial stages of exploration.

## 1.     Details of blocks awarded under NELP regime :

|   S.No . | Block Name    | Round      |   Signing Year |   Area Awarded | Operator                 |
|----------|---------------|------------|----------------|----------------|--------------------------|
|        1 | KK-DWN-2000/1 | NELP - II  |           2002 |          18113 | Reliance Industries Ltd. |
|        2 | KK-DWN-2000/2 | NELP - II  |           2002 |          20998 | ONGC Ltd.                |
|        3 | KK-DWN-2000/3 | NELP - II  |           2002 |          14889 | Reliance Industries Ltd. |
|        4 | KK-DWN-2000/4 | NELP - II  |           2002 |          26149 | ONGC Ltd.                |
|        5 | KK-DWN-2001/1 | NELP - III |           2003 |          27315 | Reliance Industries Ltd. |
|        6 | KK-DWN-2001/2 | NELP - III |           2003 |          31515 | Reliance Industries Ltd. |
|        7 | KK-DWN-2001/3 | NELP - III |           2003 |          21775 | ONGC Ltd.                |
|        8 | KK-DWN-2002/2 | NELP - IV  |           2004 |          22810 | ONGC Ltd.                |
|        9 | KK-DWN-2002/3 | NELP - IV  |           2004 |          20910 | ONGC Ltd.                |
|       10 | KK-DWN-2003/1 | NELP -V    |           2005 |          18245 | Reliance Industries Ltd. |
|       11 | KK-DWN-2003/2 | NELP -V    |           2005 |          12285 | Reliance Industries Ltd. |
|       12 | KK-DWN-2004/1 | NELP - VI  |           2007 |          12324 | ONGC Ltd.                |
|       13 | KK-DWN-2005/1 | NELP - VII |           2008 |          14675 | BHPBilliton              |
|       14 | KK-DWN-2005/2 | NELP - VII |           2008 |          19234 | ONGC Ltd.                |
|       15 | KK-OSN-2000/1 | NELP - II  |           2001 |          16125 | ONGC Ltd.                |
|       16 | KK-OSN-2001/2 | NELP - III |           2003 |          14120 | ONGC Ltd.                |
|       17 | KK-OSN-2001/3 | NELP - III |           2003 |           8595 | ONGC Ltd.                |
|       18 | KK-OSN-97/2   | NELP - I   |           2000 |          19450 | Reliance Industries Ltd. |
|       19 | KK-OSN-97/3   | NELP - I   |           2000 |          15910 | ONGC Ltd.                |

## Note:

- i. The blocks awardedwere in Shallow waters and Deep waters. No onland blocks were awarded.
- ii. All blocks awarded, as above, are relinquished and non-operational. Currently, no exploration related activities are in progress.

## Annexure - A

2.      Details of blocks awarded under OALP regime: -

|   S.NO. | Block            | OALP Round   |   Year |   Area Awarded (sq.km) | Contractor        | Type Of Block   | Timelines as per Policy   |
|---------|------------------|--------------|--------|------------------------|-------------------|-----------------|---------------------------|
|       1 | KK- OSHP- 2018/1 | OALP-III     |   2019 |                3519.69 | Oil India Limited | shallow water   | 3 years                   |
|       2 | KK- DWHP- 2022/1 | OALP- VIII   |   2022 |                1112.71 | ONGC Limited      | deep water      | 4 years                   |
|       3 | KK- OSHP- 2022/1 | OALP- VIII   |   2022 |                6717.56 | ONGC Limited      | shallow water   | 3 years                   |

Source: Directorate General of Hydrocarbons

*****