Oil and Natural Gas Corporation (ONGC), the state-owned energy major, has announced that it expects an additional revenue of $10.3 billion through enhanced oil and gas production at the Mumbai High field, a key offshore resource in the Arabian Sea. The anticipated increase in production is a result of a partnership with BP Exploration (Alpha) Ltd, a subsidiary of UK-based BP Plc, which has been brought on board as the Technical Service Provider (TSP).
In a statement, ONGC shared that BP’s involvement aims to raise crude oil production by 44 percent and gas output by 89 percent over the next decade. This will translate into an overall 60 percent increase in oil and gas production in the field. The improved output is expected to generate substantial revenue for ONGC while contributing an additional $5 billion to the government exchequer through royalties, cess, and other levies.
The Mumbai High field, which accounts for nearly a quarter of India’s oil and gas production, currently has an estimated reserve of 80 million tonnes of oil and over 40 billion cubic meters of gas. To reverse the field’s declining production, ONGC floated an international tender last year, inviting global players with proven expertise in similar projects. BP and Royal Dutch Shell were among the companies that expressed interest, with BP ultimately securing the contract.
Under the agreement, BP will conduct a detailed assessment of the field’s performance and implement advanced recovery techniques to stabilise and enhance production. These efforts are expected to bear visible results from the financial year 2025–26, with full-scale production gains materialising by 2027–28.
Highlighting the significance of this collaboration, BP India head Kartikeya Dube emphasised the company’s commitment to India’s energy sector. “This partnership underscores our dedication to contributing to India’s energy security. By leveraging our global expertise in managing large oil fields, we aim to unlock the full potential of Mumbai High and return it to a growth trajectory,” he said.
The initiative will involve deploying state-of-the-art technologies such as seismic analysis, reservoir optimisation, and enhanced oil recovery methods. BP also plans to apply advanced practices like fracturing technology to access unconventional reservoirs, ensuring long-term sustainability and production delivery until 2035.
This collaboration represents a significant step towards achieving India’s goal of energy self-reliance and underscores the potential of international partnerships in revitalising critical national resources.
