Oil and Natural Gas Corporation (ONGC), in collaboration with BP Exploration (Alpha) and Reliance Industries (RIL), has signed a joint operating agreement (JOA) for the offshore exploration of Block GS-OSHP-2022/2. The agreement was formalised on 28 July, 2025 at ONGC’s Deendayal Urja Bhavan in Vasant Kunj, New Delhi.

The block, awarded under the Open Acreage Licensing Policy (OALP) Bid Round-IX, is situated off India’s western coast in the Saurashtra Basin and spans approx. 5,454 sq. mtrs.Classified under Category-II basins, it holds significant hydrocarbon potential. Under the terms of the agreement, ONGC will serve as the Operator and lead the consortium in conducting exploratory activities to evaluate the region’s resources.

The signing ceremony was attended by senior representatives, including Mr. Manoj Kumar, Director (Finance), BP Exploration (Alpha); Mr. Avinash Kumar Pathak, Senior Vice President, RIL; Mr. Arunangshu Sarkar, Director (Strategy & Corporate Affairs), ONGC; Mr. Om Prakash Sinha, Director (Exploration), ONGC; and Mr. Sanjay Baveja, Chief (Exploration–JV & BD), ONGC.

The agreement represents a strategic milestone in collaborative energy exploration and reinforces the consortium’s commitment to supporting India’s long-term energy security and development goals.