The Indian government has launched a large-scale offshore oil and gas exploration programme to locate hidden hydrocarbon reserves across the country's coastal waters.

This initiative is a strategic effort to reduce India's heavy dependence on foreign energy sources. By discovering domestic reserves, the government aims to mitigate the risks associated with global price volatility and geopolitical instability.

The Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas is executing the project in partnership with energy data provider TGS. The programme focuses on the offshore basins of India, beginning its operations in the Krishna-Godavari Basin on the east coast.

Technical strategies for the hunt include new seismic surveys and the use of artificial intelligence to re-process legacy 3-D seismic data. This AI-driven approach allows experts to identify potential reserves that were previously missed or overlooked in older datasets.

The drive was announced in early 2024, specifically between February and March of that year. The timing reflects an urgent need to address the nation's energy deficit.

Currently, India imports roughly 85% [1] of its crude-oil requirements. This high level of reliance leaves the national economy vulnerable to supply chain disruptions, and fluctuating market costs.

The partnership with TGS provides the government with advanced data processing capabilities. By integrating new surveys with re-evaluated old data, India hopes to map its offshore potential more accurately and accelerate the timeline for domestic production.

“India imports roughly 85% of its crude-oil requirements.”

India's shift toward AI-enhanced exploration signals a move toward high-tech resource recovery to achieve energy independence. While the Krishna-Godavari Basin is the starting point, the success of this programme will determine if India can realistically lower its 85% import rate or if it must continue relying on volatile global markets for the foreseeable future.