India on Brink of Major Oil Discovery in Andaman Sea

India Nears Major Oil Discovery in Andaman Sea India is poised for a potential energy breakthrough with a significant oil discovery in the Andaman Sea. Union Petroleum Minister Hardeep Singh Puri compared the find’s potential scale to Guyana’s massive reserves of 11.6 billion barrels, suggesting it could be transformative for India’s energy landscape. With over 85% of its crude oil currently imported—about 200 million metric tonnes between April 2024 and January 2025—India is pushing to reduce its dependence through domestic exploration. Public sector firms like Oil India Limited (OIL) and ONGC are leading efforts in the Andaman basin, where OIL has begun drilling the Vijaya Puram-1 well using the advanced 'Blackford Dolphin' rig. The region, one of India’s least explored offshore areas, holds high potential due to its geological similarity with oil-rich Southeast Asian zones. Key government reforms, such as the Open Acreage Licensing Policy (OALP), have opened nearly 1 million sq km for exploration, attracting strong interest from global and domestic players. In FY 2024, ONGC drilled a record 541 wells—the highest in 37 years—reflecting new momentum in the sector. Recent legislative changes aim to ease regulations and boost private investment. If successful, the Andaman discovery could not only strengthen India’s energy security but also elevate its GDP towards the $20 trillion mark, while transforming the local economy of the Andaman and Nicobar Islands through jobs and infrastructure. India now stands on the edge of a game-changing shift in its energy future. Go to Link :- https://thecsrjournal.in/india-on-brink-of-major-oil-discovery-in-andaman-sea/