New Delhi: India is set to begin oil and gas exploration in the Andaman Basin, with hopes that it will replicate the success of the Mumbai High oil field, a key contributor to the country’s energy needs. “We hope the Andaman Basin becomes the new Mumbai High for us,” said Dr. Pallavi Jain Govil, Directorate General of Hydrocarbons, Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas, at the CII Energy Security Conference on Tuesday.
Dr. Govil highlighted efforts to attract investments by improving access to high-quality geoscientific data. The National Data Repository is being moved to the cloud to enhance data accessibility and sharing capabilities, and partnerships with institutions like the University of Houston, IIT Bombay, and IIT Madras are being established to host exploration data and develop new energy technologies.
Coal still key amid renewable push
Coal continues to account for 55% of India’s energy consumption, even as renewable energy capacity grows. Periasamy Kumaran, Special Secretary, Ministry of External Affairs, said coal is critical for ensuring energy security. “Coal remains affordable and viable, especially during high-demand periods,” Kumaran said, adding that phasing out coal while addressing social impacts will be challenging.
India’s renewable energy capacity is targeted to reach 500 GW by 2030. However, supply chain vulnerabilities for critical minerals and technologies remain a concern. Kumaran said geopolitical tensions around these resources could impact the global energy transition.
Focus on carbon capture and energy security
Prabh Das, MD and COO, HPCL Mittal Energy Limited, stressed the need for carbon capture and sequestration (CCS) technologies to address coal-related pollution. “We consume 1 billion tonnes of coal annually. Cleaner coal usage through R&D and CCS technologies can help address environmental challenges,” he said.
Ambassador Virendra Gupta, Co-Chairman, CII Core Group on Energy Security, emphasized diversifying oil imports to ensure affordable and sustained energy supplies. “Energy security is about ensuring supply at affordable costs, not just owning assets abroad,” he noted.
India’s energy strategy continues to balance economic growth, sustainability, and energy security, officials said, with renewed efforts in exploration, diversification, and technological innovation.
