Oil and Natural Gas Corporation (ONGC) and global energy major bp signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) on 17 July, 2025, to drill stratigraphic wells in India’s Category II and III offshore sedimentary basins, including the Andaman, Mahanadi, Saurashtra, and Bengal regions.

The agreement was formalised in the presence of Union Petroleum Minister Hardeep Singh Puri at the Urja Varta 2025 event. The collaboration aims to enhance geological understanding and unlock the hydrocarbon potential in these underexplored basins, thereby strengthening India’s upstream data infrastructure and long-term energy security.

Kartikeya Dube, Head of Country for bp India, emphasised the strategic significance of the project and the value bp’s deepwater exploration experience and seismic technologies bring to the initiative. ONGC highlighted the MoU as a reaffirmation of India’s commitment to global partnerships in its energy sector and its mission for an Atmanirbhar Bharat. The drilling of these stratigraphic wells is expected to pave the way for new exploration opportunities and deepen knowledge of India’s offshore geology.