Oil India Begins Deepwater Drilling in Kerala-Konkan Basin to Boost Energy Security
Oil India has launched a major deepwater drilling campaign in the Kerala-Konkan Basin, spudding a 6,000-metre well offshore. This initiative is a crucial part of India's energy strategy, championed by Prime Minister Narendra Modi's vision, to enhance domestic energy security and reduce import dependence. Supported by extensive seismic surveys and a technology agreement with TotalEnergies, the project aims to identify new reserves and unlock untapped offshore potential, moving India towards a self-reliant energy future.
Oil India has initiated a landmark deepwater drilling campaign in the Kerala-Konkan Basin, marking a pivotal moment in India's quest to enhance its domestic energy exploration capabilities and bolster national energy security. This ambitious project, aligned with Prime Minister Narendra Modi's vision, aims to significantly reduce the nation's heavy reliance on crude oil and natural gas imports, currently at approximately 80% and 50% respectively. Union Petroleum Minister Hardeep Puri announced the spudding of the first well, a 6,000-metre deepwater operation situated about 20 nautical miles offshore, positioning it as one of India's deepest exploratory wells. This follows extensive scientific groundwork, including the completion of over 1,028 sq. km of 3D seismic surveys, designed to identify promising Cretaceous plays and accelerate the discovery of new energy frontiers. The drilling campaign is part of a broader intensified exploration effort across India's offshore regions, including the Andaman Sea. Critical to this initiative is the recent Technology Service Agreement signed between Oil India and TotalEnergies. This collaboration is set to leverage advanced technologies and local expertise to unlock vast, untapped deep and ultra-deep-water potential within India’s sedimentary basins. By combining strong technical preparation with global partnerships, the Kerala-Konkan Basin project is poised to play a crucial role in shaping India's long-term energy landscape, driving the nation towards a more secure and self-reliant energy future.
