ONGC, BP, and Reliance Form Power Trio for Offshore Oil Hunt

Oil and Natural Gas Corporation (ONGC), in collaboration with BP Exploration (Alpha) and Reliance Industries Limited (RIL), has signed a Joint Operating Agreement (JOA) for offshore exploration of Block GS-OSHP-2022/2. The agreement was formalised on 28 July 2025 at ONGC’s Deendayal Urja Bhavan, Vasant Kunj, New Delhi.

Awarded under the Open Acreage Licensing Policy (OALP) Bid Round-IX, the block is located off India’s western coast in the Saurashtra Basin, covering approximately 5,454 sq. km. Classified as a Category-II basin, it is considered to have significant hydrocarbon potential. As per the JOA, ONGC will act as the Operator, leading exploration efforts on behalf of the consortium.

The signing ceremony was attended by key representatives, including Mr. Manoj Kumar, Director (Finance), BP Exploration (Alpha); Mr. Avinash Kumar Pathak, Senior Vice President, RIL; Mr. Arunangshu Sarkar, Director (Strategy & Corporate Affairs), ONGC; Mr. Om Prakash Sinha, Director (Exploration), ONGC; and Mr. Sanjay Baveja, Chief (Exploration – JV & BD), ONGC.

This collaboration marks a strategic milestone in India's upstream energy sector and underscores the consortium’s shared commitment to enhancing domestic exploration, boosting energy self-reliance, and contributing to the country's long-term energy security.

News by Rahul Yelligetti.