Modi Unveils Bold Deep-Sea Mission to Slash India's Oil Imports

Prime Minister Narendra Modi announced the ambitious National Deep Water Exploration Mission during his Independence Day address at the Red Fort. This transformative initiative aims to uncover oil and gas reserves beneath India's seabed, targeting a significant reduction in the nation's 88% reliance on imported crude oil and 50% dependence on imported natural gas. By tapping domestic reserves, the mission seeks to redirect billions in import costs toward poverty alleviation, rural development, and farmers' welfare.

India’s energy import bill drains a substantial portion of the national budget, funding petrol, diesel, electricity, fertilizers, and CNG vehicles. Modi highlighted the economic impact, noting, "Lakhs of crores of rupees are sent abroad for energy imports, funds that could transform our villages and eradicate poverty." Dubbed a modern "Samudra Manthan" (churning of the ocean), the mission focuses on deep-sea exploration, particularly off the Andhra coast and in the Andaman-Nicobar basin, to achieve energy self-reliance.

Building on pre-2014 discoveries like Reliance Industries’ KG-D6 and ONGC’s KG-DWN-98/2 under the New Exploration Licensing Policy (NELP), the Modi government has revamped exploration frameworks. The Open Acreage Licensing Policy (OALP) has unlocked 0.38 million square kilometers for exploration since 2014—over four times the 82,327 square kilometers allocated between 2009 and 2014. In the past five years, 52 discoveries, including 66 offshore, have been recorded, laying a strong foundation for the mission.

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Oil Minister Hardeep Singh Puri emphasized recent reforms, such as the ORD Amendment Act, which have accelerated exploration. Nearly 1 million square kilometers of previously restricted "No-Go" areas, including the Andaman-Nicobar basin, are now open for bidding. The Andaman Sea, sharing tectonic traits with oil-rich regions in Myanmar and North Sumatra, is a high-potential zone. Puri stated, “Andaman’s waters could hold the key to India’s energy future,” with 25 blocks in the OALP-X bid round covering 200,000 square kilometers.

The mission leverages advanced technology and global interest to explore deepwater frontiers. A breakthrough could reduce imports, create jobs, and enhance energy security, aligning with Modi’s vision of a developed India. The Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas has highlighted the Andaman-Nicobar basin’s potential, positioning it as India’s next oil and gas hotspot.

The National Deep Water Exploration Mission marks a pivotal step toward energy independence. Through strategic policy reforms and cutting-edge exploration, India aims to reshape its energy landscape, ensuring a self-reliant and prosperous future.

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