Petroleum and Natural Gas Rules 2025 to bring paradigm shift in oil & gas sector: Hardeep Puri

Union Minister Hardeep Singh Puri stated that the Petroleum and Natural Gas Rules 2025 will bring a significant change in India’s efforts to enhance domestic hydrocarbon production and energy security. The rules aim to resolve disputes like the one between ONGC and the West Bengal government over the Ashok Nagar oil discovery, enabling quicker decision-making on lease approvals within 180 days.
The Oilfields (Regulation & Development) Amendment Act, 2025 clarifies the “value of the lease” issue, paving the way for ONGC to start production at the Ashok Nagar oilfield near Kolkata. The new rules streamline the process by consolidating various licenses into a single petroleum lease covering exploration, development, production, and related activities, including renewable energy projects.
Despite investing over Rs 1,000 crore in exploration, ONGC has faced delays in commencing production at the Ashok Nagar oilfield due to regulatory ambiguities. The recent legislative changes offer a clear path forward, with the minister indicating that production could begin in the coming weeks, resolving a longstanding impasse.
India’s energy sector is undergoing a transformation with advanced technology exploration projects across seven sedimentary basins. The launch of ‘Mission Anveshan’ under Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s vision aims to conduct extensive seismic surveys for oil and gas exploration, with significant progress already made in surveying over 8,000 ground line kilometers.
The minister emphasized the country’s energy potential, from Rajasthan’s deserts to the KG Basin’s deep waters, highlighting the vast offshore areas now open for oilfield exploration. The Open Acreage Licensing Programme (OALP) has attracted global and domestic energy players, with expectations of increased participation and investment in Round X, featuring 25 marked blocks and 14 new oil and gas discoveries.
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Hardeep Singh Puri, ONGC, West Bengal, Ashok Nagar, Oilfields (Regulation & Development) Amendment Act, Mission Anveshan, Prime Minister Narendra Modi, KG Basin, Open Acreage Licensing Programme (OALP)