Cairn Oil & Gas, Vedanta Secures 7 New Exploration Blocks in OALP IX Round.

Cairn Oil & Gas, a unit of Vedanta Group and India's largest private oil and gas producer, has secured seven new exploration blocks under the Open Acreage Licensing Policy (OALP) Round IX. The contract signing ceremony was held today in the presence of Union Minister for Petroleum & Natural Gas, Shri Hardeep Singh Puri.

The newly awarded blocks include four onshore and three shallow water assets located across key hydrocarbon basins such as Cambay, Saurashtra, and Mumbai. With this addition, Cairn’s total portfolio now stands at 69 blocks covering more than 73,000 sq km across the country.

Emerging as the largest private participant in OALP Round IX, Cairn acquired 7 out of the 28 blocks on offer, further strengthening its position as a key contributor to India's energy landscape. The company aims to meet 50% of India’s domestic crude oil demand in the near future.

Congratulating the government, Vedanta Group Chairman Anil Agarwal said, “India’s hydrocarbon policies are now among the most attractive globally, offering significant opportunities and returns on capital.”

Cairn has been a consistent player in OALP auctions, having previously secured 36 blocks in Round I, 5 in Round II, and 3 in Round III. It holds 100% participatory interest in all OALP blocks, alongside legacy assets awarded under earlier licensing rounds.

The acquisition of these new blocks is set to boost Cairn’s exploration and production efforts, especially along the West Coast. The company already operates fields like Lakshmi and Gauri in offshore Cambay (CB/OS-2 block), and the Jaya onshore field in Gujarat’s Bharuch district. Cairn is also planning further exploration in the Ambe shallow water block (DSF) in the Gulf of Cambay.

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