New Delhi: In a significant step toward unlocking India’s offshore hydrocarbon potential, Oil and Natural Gas Corporation (ONGC) has signed a strategic Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with British energy major bp (British Petroleum). The MoU was formalized on July 17, 2025, during Urja Varta 2025, in the presence of Union Minister for Petroleum and Natural Gas Hardeep Singh Puri.
This collaboration aims to jointly drill stratigraphic wells in Category II and III offshore sedimentary basins across India, including the Andaman, Mahanadi, Saurashtra, and Bengal basins.
Unlocking Untapped Hydrocarbon Potential
The strategic partnership will enhance geological understanding and help tap into previously underexplored offshore regions, thereby contributing significantly to India’s long-term energy security. The MoU is expected to lead to better data acquisition, basin analysis, and de-risking of future exploration in these basins.
“This collaboration between ONGC and bp reaffirms our commitment to global partnerships and our shared mission to strengthen India’s energy landscape,” said Minister Hardeep Singh Puri, while commending the initiative at Urja Varta 2025.
Focus on Offshore Sedimentary Basins
India’s offshore Category II and III sedimentary basins hold high geological promise but remain relatively underexplored due to technological and investment challenges. The partnership seeks to overcome these hurdles by leveraging bp’s global technological expertise and ONGC’s local knowledge and operational presence.
The initiative aligns with the government’s push to expand domestic hydrocarbon production through international collaboration, particularly in deepwater and frontier regions.
A Boost to Energy Independence
With India striving to reduce its dependence on imported fossil fuels, partnerships like ONGC-bp are seen as critical enablers of domestic exploration and production (E&P). The move complements India’s ambitious goals of achieving energy self-sufficiency, while also securing supplies to meet growing demand.
About ONGC
Oil & Natural Gas Corporation Limited (ONGC) is a Maharatna PSU under the Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas, Government of India. As the country’s largest oil and gas exploration and production company, ONGC plays a critical role in ensuring India’s energy security. Its operations span offshore and onshore exploration, field development, and strategic partnerships across the globe.
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