The DGH has pushed the last date for submitting bids on deepwater and ultra‑deepwater blocks under the 10th and 11th rounds of the OALP to 10 December 2026. This is the seventh extension for the 10th round (launched April 2025) and the third for the 11th round (opened March 2026). The move comes as the Union Cabinet has approved a massive outlay for offshore exploration under the Samudra Manthan programme.
Key Developments
- Bid deadline for the 10th and 11th OALP rounds extended by 25 days to 10 December 2026.
- 10th round offers 25 blocks (1 deepwater, 12 ultra‑deepwater); 11th round offers 5 blocks (1 deepwater, 4 ultra‑deepwater).
- Cabinet approved ₹84,084 crore for the National Offshore Exploration Scheme until FY31, including ₹43,200 crore for drilling 60 wells.
- ONGC plans to invest ₹1 lakh crore by 2030; Oil India earmarks ₹15,000 crore over three years for deepwater exploration.
Important Facts
The 10th round, launched in April 2025, has seen six prior extensions, reflecting industry demand for more time to prepare bids. The 11th round, opened in March 2026, is in its third extension. The deepwater and ultra‑deepwater zones are strategically important for India’s energy security.
Exam Relevance
Understanding the hydrocarbon exploration framework helps answer questions on energy security, fiscal policy, and public‑private partnerships. The scale of the Samudra Manthan programme illustrates the government’s commitment to achieving self‑reliance (Atmanirbhar Bharat) in the energy sector. The involvement of state‑owned enterprises like ONGC and Oil India highlights the role of public sector undertakings in strategic sectors, a frequent topic in GS2 (Polity) and GS3 (Economy).
Way Forward
Prospective bidders must prepare technical and financial proposals within the new deadline, focusing on cost‑effective drilling technologies for deepwater zones. The government may consider further extensions if market response remains tepid, but the large fiscal outlay signals a push for accelerated exploration. Monitoring the progress of the 60 planned wells will be crucial for assessing the impact of the scheme on India’s import‑dependence and fiscal health.