New Delhi, Aug 15: The Union Government on Saturday unveiled Samudra Manthan, a national offshore exploration scheme aimed at expanding India’s domestic oil and gas production by opening previously restricted offshore areas for exploration and development.
Scheme, scope and costs
The Union Cabinet cleared the programme on July 31 with an approved fund allocation of ₹84,084 crore extending through financial year 2030-31. The initiative combines large-scale seismic surveys, deepwater and ultra-deepwater drilling, scientific drilling, shared offshore infrastructure and a proposed integrated oil and gas manufacturing and services zone.
The government projects that the scheme could add more than 600 million metric tonnes of oil equivalent to India’s hydrocarbon reserves and boost domestic production, a move officials say would reduce the country’s vulnerability to international supply shocks.
Opening previously restricted tracts
Addressing the nation from the Red Fort on Independence Day, the Prime Minister highlighted a change in policy that will allow much wider access to offshore acreage. He said a near-total ban on exploration in the past had limited domestic discovery potential.
“We had declared nearly 99 per cent of our offshore areas as ‘no-go areas’,” the Prime Minister said, adding those areas have now been opened for exploration.
Official figures cited by the government indicate India’s offshore region comprises nine basins covering about 1.73 million sq km. The administration said the “no-go” area has been reduced dramatically — from 13.67 lakh sq km to 24,832 sq km — thereby permitting exploration in large tracts that were previously off-limits.
Why the move now: import dependence and supply risks
India imports a substantial share of the oil and gas it consumes — close to 88.5% of crude oil, while natural gas import dependence is “around half”, according to the government summary cited during the launch. That reliance leaves the country exposed to geopolitical events and market volatility abroad.
Recent disruptions linked to conflict in West Asia in 2026 underlined the risks of heavy import dependence, officials said, reinforcing the rationale for seeking domestic sources that can dampen price shocks and supply insecurity.
Components and expected outcomes
The scheme will fund high-resolution seismic surveys that use sound waves to map sub-seabed structures, alongside scientific and commercial drilling in deepwater and ultra-deepwater areas. It also envisages common infrastructure facilities to support exploration and production, and an integrated manufacturing and services zone to service offshore operations.
- Seismic surveys: To identify prospects beneath the seabed.
- Drilling: Deepwater and ultra-deepwater exploration and scientific boreholes.
- Infrastructure: Shared offshore facilities and a manufacturing/services zone.
| Metric | Value |
|---|---|
| Approved outlay | ₹84,084 crore |
| Projected reserve addition | 600 million metric tonnes |
| Offshore area (total) | 1.73 million sq km |
| Former "no-go" extent | 13.67 lakh sq km |
| Current permitted area | 24,832 sq km |
Context and caveats
While seismic surveys and drilling can indicate and produce hydrocarbons, success rates and commercial viability vary widely by basin and block. The government’s expectation of adding significant reserves will depend on the outcomes of exploration campaigns and the technical challenges of extracting hydrocarbons from deepwater settings.
Environmental, regulatory and logistical considerations — including offshore safety, ecosystem impacts and coordination with coastal states and agencies — will be important as operations expand. The Directorate General of Hydrocarbons (DGH) data cited by the government shows the country has extensive offshore territories, but translating acreage into sustained production will require time, investment and favourable discoveries.
The Samudra Manthan programme signals a strategic shift towards leveraging domestic offshore potential to reduce import dependence for oil and gas. Its long-term impact on India’s energy mix, prices and energy security will become clearer as survey results and drilling outcomes emerge in coming years.
