Jaipur: The 15th Biennial International Conference and Exposition of the Society of Petroleum Geophysicists (SPG-India) 2025, themed “Rock to Cloud: Geo-Exploration Empowering Energy Evolution,” was inaugurated today at the Jaipur Exhibition and Convention Centre (JECC). The event brought together leading geoscientists, policymakers, researchers, and energy experts from across India and the world to deliberate on the evolving frontiers of oil and gas exploration, technological innovation, and sustainable energy solutions.
Inauguration and Key Dignitaries
The conference was inaugurated by Pankaj Jain, IAS, Secretary, Ministry of Petroleum & Natural Gas (MoPNG), Government of India, in the presence of:
- Arun Kumar Singh, Chairman & CEO, ONGC and Chief Patron, SPG-India
- Dr. Ranjit Rath, CMD, Oil India Ltd., Director (Exploration), ONGC, and Patron, SPG-India
- O.P. Sinha, President, SPG-India
Keynote Highlights: Urgency for Bold Exploration
Delivering the keynote, Mr. Pankaj Jain stressed the need for bold, time-bound exploration strategies, aligned with the National Deepwater Mission. He highlighted the evolving energy landscape, noting that India must look beyond incremental progress and focus on big discoveries.
“One day, not too far off, alternative forms of energy will matter more than fossil fuels, or the way we use fossil fuels will change. We do not have the luxury we used to have a hundred years ago or 150 years ago,” Mr. Jain said, urging the geoscientific community to act with urgency, innovation, and national responsibility.
Technological Advancements and Industry Commitments
Addressing attendees, Arun Kumar Singh reaffirmed ONGC’s commitment to India’s deepwater exploration mission, emphasizing the transformative role of seismic imaging, AI-driven interpretation, and data analytics in discovery success.
Dr. Ranjit Rath highlighted India’s emergence as a promising destination for hydrocarbon exploration, supported by progressive policies such as the Open Acreage Licensing Policy (OALP), Hydrocarbon Exploration and Licensing Policy (HELP), and Offshore Bidding Rounds. He urged the community to remain “restless in pursuit of exploration,” particularly in ultra-deepwater domains.
Emphasis on Data-Driven Exploration
In his welcome address, O.P. Sinha highlighted the “Rock to Cloud” theme as a symbol of India’s shift toward data-driven, technology-intensive exploration. He stressed the importance of collaboration among academia, industry, and government to accelerate discoveries and fully leverage India’s vast sedimentary basins.
- Awards and Special Releases
- The inaugural session also featured:
Presentation of the B.S. Negi Convention Gold Medal and Citation to renowned geoscientist and former ONGC professional G C Katiyar
Release of the SPG 2025 Conference Souvenir and the special issue of GEOHORIZONS journal
SPG 2025 Exposition
The exposition showcased cutting-edge technologies and solutions from global leaders in geoscience and energy exploration. The inauguration was led by Arun Kumar Singh in the presence of Dr. Ranjit Rath, highlighting SPG’s commitment to fostering innovation in the sector.
About SPG India
Founded in 1992 in Dehradun, SPG India has grown into a globally recognized professional body with over 3,500 members and nine regional chapters across the country. With affiliations to international organizations such as SEG (USA), EAGE (Netherlands), and ASEG (Australia), SPG promotes scientific exchange, nurtures young geoscientists through 18 active student chapters, and fosters innovation in hydrocarbon exploration and allied fields.
