ENA Sectors 2025-12-12 13:59:45 <p><span style="font-size:14px"><strong>New Delhi, Dec 12 (KNN)</strong> 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.</span></p> <p><span style="font-size:14px"><strong>New Deepwater Block Near Cape Comorin</strong></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:14px">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 Indias Exclusive Economic Zone and outside the demarcated Wadge Bank and other reserve core zones.</span></p> <p><span style="font-size:14px"><strong>Environmental Clearances Mandatory Before Drilling</strong></span></p> <p><span style="font-size:14px">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.</span></p> <p><span style="font-size:14px">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&amp;CC).</span></p> <p><span style="font-size:14px"><em><strong>(KNN Bureau)</strong></em></span></p> 44392 https://knnindia.co.in/news/newsdetails/sectors/india-opens-new-deepwater-block-for-bidding-under-hydrocarbon-licensing-policy 2025-12-12 13:59:45 knnindia.co.in