ONGC, OIL to Launch ₹3,200 Crore Stratigraphic Drilling Campaign in 2026.

State-owned oil explorers Oil and Natural Gas Corporation (ONGC) and Oil India Ltd (OIL) are set to kick off a ₹3,200 crore stratigraphic drilling campaign early next year, targeting unexplored offshore regions in a bid to uncover new hydrocarbon reserves and reduce India’s dependence on energy imports, senior officials have confirmed.

As part of the first phase, four exploratory wells will be drilled in the deep waters of the Andaman Sea, Mahanadi, Saurashtra, and Bengal sedimentary basins. These frontier regions have long been seen as having untapped potential for oil and gas discoveries.

Global energy major BP has been roped in to provide technical support for the campaign. The company will assist in identifying optimal drilling locations and guide the drilling operations, officials added.

The initiative marks a significant step in India’s broader strategy to boost domestic energy production and enhance energy security amid fluctuating global oil prices and rising demand.