Lok Sabha Question No. 163 (STARRED), answered on 2025-12-11
Subject: Hydrocarbon Exploration and Licensing Policy
Ministry: PETROLEUM AND NATURAL GAS
Asked by: Shri Sasikanth Senthil

## LOK SABHA STARRED QUESTION NO. *163 TO BE ANSWERED ON 11 th  December, 2025

## Hydrocarbon Exploration and Licensing Policy

*163. Shri Sasikanth Senthil:

## पेट Ō ोिलयम और Ůाक ृ ितक गैस मंũी

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

- (a) the details of offshore areas in the South of Cape Comorin notified for bidding under the Hydrocarbon Exploration and Licensing Policy (HELP), block-wise;
- (b)  whether  the  Government  has  examined  ecological  or  marine  concerns  raised  regarding exploration activities near sensitive fishing grounds such as the Wadge Bank; and
- (c) if so, the details thereof and if not, the reasons therefor?

## ANSWER

## पेट Ō ोिलयम और Ůाक ृ ितक गैस मंũी ( ŵी हरदीप िसंह पुरी )

## MINISTER OF PETROLEUM AND NATURAL GAS (SHRI HARDEEP SINGH PURI)

- (a) to (c): A statement is laid on the Table of the House.

## STATEMENT REFERRED TO IN REPLY TO PARTS (a) TO (c) OF LOK SABHA STARRED QUESTION NO. *163 TO BE ANSWERED ON 11.12.2025 REGARDING 'HYDROCARBON EXPLORATION AND LICENSING POLICY' ASKED BY SHRI SASIKANTH SENTHIL

(a)  to  (c):  Exploration  blocks  are  awarded  by  Government  with  a  view  to  reduce  import dependence  in  the  Oil  and  Gas  Sector  and  to  promote  domestic  exploration.  India  has significant untapped potential in oil and gas resources, and realising this potential is essential for strengthening long-term energy security. Government is sensitive to ecological concerns associated with such activities and the need for a balance between resource development and environmental protection.

Government have put on offer an exploration block CY-DWHP-2024/1 (offshore area near the Cape Comorin) measuring an area of 9990.96 sq. Km for bidding under the Open Acreage Licensing  Policy  (OALP)  Bid  Round-X.  This  offshore  deepwater  block  lies  within  India's Exclusive Economic Zone and within the territorial jurisdiction of Government of India. The block CY-DWHP-2024/1 is entirely outside the demarcated area of the Wadge Bank as well as the core zone of other Reserves. Three ultra-deepwater blocks (CY-UDWHP-2022/1, CYUDWHP-2022/2 and CY-UDWHP-2022/3 with area 9514.63, 9844.72 and 7795.45 sq. km respectively) have earlier been awarded to ONGC through bidding round OALP-IX, which are located to the south of Cape Comorin.

Mere award of the blocks does not entitle the awardees to initiate drilling activities. To ensure environmental  safeguards,  drilling  can  commence  only  after  due  clearance  under  the Environment Impact Assessment (EIA) Notification,  2006 (as amended). The EIA process, which  extends  to  offshore  areas  upto  12  nautical  miles,  involves  scientific  assessment, necessary  coastal  regulatory  zone  clearances  (state  authority)  /  clearance  from  Ministry  of Environment,  Forest and Climate Change (MoEF&CC). Only upon securing these clearances / compliances under environmental guidelines, can companies begin drilling operations, with all mandated safeguards inplace.

This  operational  framework  reflects  Government's  commitment  to  maintain  a  balance between safeguarding ecosystems and advancing long-term energy security through responsible exploration activity.