India Opens New Deepwater Block For Bidding Under Hydrocarbon Licensing Policy

New Delhi, Dec 12 (KNN) The Government has put a new offshore exploration block on offer under the Open Acreage Licensing Policy (OALP) to boost domestic exploration and reduce import dependence, Minister of Petroleum and Natural Gas Hardeep Singh Puri informed the Lok Sabha on Thursday.

New Deepwater Block Near Cape Comorin

Puri said the exploration block CY-DWHP-2024/1, area of 9,990.96 sq km, offshore near Cape Comorin, has been offered under OALP Bid Round X. The block lies within India’s Exclusive Economic Zone and outside the demarcated Wadge Bank and other reserve core zones.

Environmental Clearances Mandatory Before Drilling

The Minister clarified that the award of an exploration block does not allow companies to begin drilling. It can commence only after obtaining due clearances under the Environment Impact Assessment (EIA) Notification, 2006.

The EIA process, applicable to offshore areas up to 12 nautical miles, includes scientific assessments, coastal regulatory zone clearances from state authorities, and approval from the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MoEF&CC).

(KNN Bureau)