OIL AND NATURAL GAS

An Overview

The Indian oil and gas sector is one of the six core industries in India and has very significant forward linkages with the entire economy. India has been growing at a decent rate annually and is committed to accelerate the growth momentum in the years to come. This would translate into India's energy needs growing many times in the years to come. Hence, there is an emphasized need for wider and more intensive exploration for new finds, more efficient and effective recovery, a more rational and optimally balanced global price regime - as against the rather wide upward fluctuations of recent times, and a spirit of equitable common benefit in global energy cooperation.

The Indian oil and gas sector is of strategic importance and plays a predominantly pivotal role in influencing decisions in all other spheres of the economy. The annual growth has been commendable and will accelerate in future consequently encouraging all round growth and development. This has necessitated the need for a wider intensified search for new fields, evolving better methods of extraction, refining and distribution, the constitution of a national price mechanism - keeping in mind the alarming price fluctuation in the recent past and evolving a spirit of equitable global cooperation.

Oil and Gas Sector: An Overview

Exploration and Production (E&P)

The growing demand for crude oil and gas in the country and policy initiative of Government of India towards increased E&P activity, have given a great impetus to the Indian E&P industry raising hopes of increased exploration.

Oil and Natural Gas Corporation Limited (ONGC) and Oil India Ltd. (OIL), the two National Oil Companies (NOCs) and private and joint-venture companies are engaged in the exploration and production (E&P) of oil and natural gas in the country.

Crude Oil Production Performance

*MMT: Million Metric Tonnes

Source:Ministry of Petroleum & Natural Gas

Natural Gas

Natural Gas has emerged as one of the most preferred fuel due to its environmentally benign nature, greater efficiency and cost effectiveness. At present, the main producers of natural gas are Oil and Natural Gas Corporation Limited (ONGC), Oil India Limited (OIL) and the Joint Ventures of Panna Mukta & Tapti, and Ravva. Out of the total production of around 96 Million Metric Standard Cubic Meter Per Day (MMSCMD), after internal consumption, LPG extraction and unavoidable flaring, around 73 MMSCMD is available for sale to various consumers. In addition, around 7 MMTPA of re-gasified LNG (about 23 MMSCMD) is also being supplied to domestic consumers.

Gas produced by ONGC and OIL from the existing nominated blocks is sold at administered prices fixed by the Government. As against a total allocation of 150 MMSCMD of gas, actual supply under APM is presently around 53 MMSCMD.

Natural Gas Production Performance

MCM:Million Cubic Metres

Source: Ministry of Petroleum & Natural Gas

New Exploration Licensing Policy (NELP)

New Exploration Licensing Policy (NELP) provides an international class fiscal and contract framework for Exploration and Production of Hydrocarbons. In the first seven rounds of NELP spanning 2000-2009, Production Sharing Contracts (PSCs) for 203 exploration blocks have been signed. Under NELP, 70 oil and gas discoveries have been made by private/joint venture (JV) companies in 20 blocks.

With a view to accelerate further the pace of exploration, the eighth round of NELP was launched in April 2009.In the eighth round of NELP,70 exploration blocks comprising of 24 deepwater blocks,28 shallow water blocks and 18 onland blocks will be offered.