Oil India has set its focus on strengthening its upstream strategy, with key plans for expanding its operations in regions like Northeast India, Rajasthan, Cambay, and Mahanadi, while also enhancing its offshore exploration in deep and ultradeep waters. 

The company is increasingly integrating artificial intelligence (AI) for reservoir modeling, drilling optimisation, and predictive maintenance, as part of its large capital investments. The government’s Open Acreage Licensing Policy (OALP-X) and other initiatives, such as the Discovered Small Fields Round-IV and coalbed methane blocks, are expected to boost exploration efforts. Oil India has made significant progress in expanding its domestic acreage and confirmed hydrocarbon potential in previously unexplored areas, including gas discoveries in the Andaman and Nicobar Basin. 

“The tide has turned, and the investment climate for exploration opportunities is favourable in India due to significant policy reforms and far-reaching decisions such as releasing approximately 1 million sq. km of erstwhile no-go areas in the eastern coast, western coast and Andaman basin, including special incentives for Category-2 and Category-3 basins,” Chairman and Managing Director Ranjit Rath said. He also highlighted the importance of the recent Oilfields (Regulation and Development) Amendment Bill, 2024, in addressing long-standing regulatory challenges.