Oil India has begun a major offshore drilling campaign in the Kerala-Konkan Basin, marking a significant expansion of India’s domestic energy exploration efforts.

Union Petroleum Minister Hardeep Puri announced the spudding of the first well, calling it an important step in India’s energy strategy driven by Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s vision. The frontier Category-III basin is considered highly promising, and the planned 6,000-mtrs. well—located 20 nautical miles offshore, will be among the deepest drilled in Indian waters. Highlighting the scientific groundwork already completed, Minister Puri stated, “With over 1,028 sq. km of 3D seismic survey already completed, this campaign will probe key Cretaceous plays and strengthen India's pursuit of new energy frontiers.” 

India currently imports around 80 percent of its crude oil and 50 percent of its natural gas, prompting intensified exploration across offshore regions, including the Andamans. Earlier this month, Oil India and TotalEnergies signed a Technology Service Agreement to bolster deep and ultra-deep-water exploration across Indian sedimentary basins, aiming to unlock vast unexplored offshore potential.