India has strengthened its global energy partnerships and accelerated key policy reforms, positioning itself as a major player in the evolving energy landscape. At India Energy Week (IEW) 2025, Union minister of petroleum and natural gas Hardeep Singh Puri announced a series of agreements in crude oil, LNG, biofuels, and digital refinery solutions, while also outlining regulatory changes in exploration and production (E&P).
The minister emphasised India’s commitment to increasing natural gas consumption from 6% to 15% of its energy mix, highlighting collaborations with the United States for long-term LNG supply. He also pointed to new oil sources emerging from Brazil, Argentina, Suriname, Canada, the US, and Guyana, which are expected to benefit India’s energy security.
Puri detailed the Open Acreage Licensing Program (OALP) Round X, covering nearly 200,000 square kilometers, and emphasized that industry interest has surged due to regulatory reforms transitioning from production-sharing to revenue-sharing models. The proposed amendments to the Oilfields (Regulation and Development) Act, 1948, will be presented in the Lok Sabha following extensive stakeholder consultations. He said ONGC’s collaboration with BP and Reliance in bidding for blocks reflects increasing industry confidence.
Highlighting India’s biofuel progress, the Minister said ethanol blending capacity has reached 1,700 crore liters, surpassing initial targets. He confirmed India remains on track to produce five million metric tonnes of green hydrogen annually by 2030. He also noted the expansion of India’s energy startup ecosystem through targeted initiatives in AI-driven energy management, CCUS, and renewable energy.
Energy startups and innovation recognised
The ministry of petroleum and natural gas announced winners of the Avinya’25 – Energy Startup Challenge, recognizing pioneering solutions. UrjanovaC Pvt Ltd won for synthetic catalyst technology enabling CO₂ capture and conversion. Breathe ESG Private Limited was the first runner-up for its SaaS platform automating ESG reporting. AgriVijay received recognition for its renewable energy marketplace for farmers. Apeiro Energy and UGreen Technology were awarded for innovations in hybrid microgrids and CO₂ reactivity enhancement.
The Vasudha – Oil and Gas Startup Challenge recognized international startups. Latin Energy Partners Inc., Paraguay, won the challenge, while Ultrasound Process Consultation LLC, USA, was named runner-up for advancements in AI-driven exploration and CCUS technologies.
A hackathon organised across IITs focused on CCUS and renewable energy, with IIT (ISM) Dhanbad winning, followed by IIT Guwahati as runner-up.
India Energy Week’s global impact
India Energy Week has become a key platform for global energy discussions. The 2025 edition hosted policymakers, CEOs, and industry experts, facilitating agreements in crude oil, LNG, LPG, and refinery digitalization. The third edition, held at Yashobhoomi, New Delhi, marked a milestone in shaping India’s energy future, with the fourth edition set to take place in Goa.
