New Delhi: Oil and Natural Gas Corporation (ONGC) and Shell Energy India Private Limited (SEI) have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to explore collaboration opportunities across India’s energy sector.
The MoU was signed on August 10, 2026, and establishes a non-binding framework for cooperation in two key areas—upstream oil and gas exploration and liquefied natural gas (LNG) sourcing.
The partnership aims to combine ONGC’s experience in India’s offshore energy sector with Shell’s global expertise to support deeper exploration, energy availability and India’s long-term energy security.
ONGC and Shell to Explore Deepwater Oil and Gas Opportunities
Under the upstream oil and gas component, the two companies will explore opportunities for joint participation in deepwater and ultra-deepwater offshore blocks.
The collaboration will cover:
- OALP Round X and XI offshore blocks.
- Future bid rounds under the Open Acreage Licensing Policy.
- Potential farm-in and farm-out opportunities in ONGC’s existing OALP blocks.
- Opportunities arising under the broader government push associated with Samudra Manthan.
The MoU provides a framework for both companies to assess potential opportunities and explore areas of mutual business interest.
LNG Sourcing to Support India’s Gas-Based Economy
The second major area of cooperation will focus on Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG).
ONGC and Shell Energy India will explore potential opportunities in LNG sourcing to support India’s gradual transition towards a stronger gas-based economy.
Greater availability of natural gas can support India’s evolving energy mix while helping meet the country’s growing energy requirements.
ONGC and Shell to Combine Complementary Expertise
The proposed collaboration brings together the complementary strengths of both companies.
ONGC has extensive experience in India’s oil and gas sector, including offshore exploration and development. Shell, meanwhile, brings global expertise in deepwater exploration and LNG.
By combining these capabilities, the partnership seeks to create new opportunities across the energy value chain.
The collaboration could support:
- Deeper exploration of offshore resources.
- Greater energy availability.
- New business opportunities in upstream oil and gas.
- Potential expansion of LNG sourcing.
- India’s long-term energy security.
MoU Supports India’s Long-Term Energy Security
The agreement reflects the shared intent of ONGC and Shell Energy India to explore practical areas of cooperation that can contribute to India’s energy requirements.
The companies aim to leverage their respective capabilities to identify new possibilities in offshore exploration and LNG while supporting the country’s broader energy transition.
The partnership comes as India continues to focus on strengthening domestic energy resources and developing a more diversified and secure energy supply.
Collaboration to Explore Future Energy Opportunities
The MoU provides ONGC and Shell Energy India with a framework to evaluate potential projects and opportunities without creating binding commitments at this stage.
Through deeper exploration, potential upstream partnerships and LNG sourcing opportunities, the two companies seek to build synergies that could contribute to a more energy-secure and connected India.
About ONGC
Oil and Natural Gas Corporation (ONGC) is India’s leading exploration and production company in the oil and gas sector. The company is involved in exploring and producing crude oil and natural gas, with operations spanning onshore and offshore areas. ONGC plays an important role in strengthening India’s domestic energy supply and supporting the country’s long-term energy security.
