New Delhi – 13 August 2025 – Cairn Oil & Gas, part of the Vedanta Group and India’s largest private oil and gas E&P company, has launched a major exploration drive to boost domestic hydrocarbon output and reduce import dependence.
The company aims to increase production to 300,000 boepd within three to four years, backed by an investment of USD 4–5 billion. The plan covers deepwater and shallow-water offshore blocks along the East and West coasts, and onshore operations in Rajasthan and the North-East.
Drilling will soon begin in Ambe and Dwarka offshore blocks on the West Coast, complemented by three new shallow-water blocks acquired in OALP Round IX. In the East, Cairn is preparing for deepwater exploration in the Krishna–Godavari Basin, where a 3D CSEM survey with Norway’s EMGS has been completed, with drilling scheduled for 2026 over 3,600 sq km.
India imports nearly 90% of its crude despite having explored only 16% of its sedimentary basins, leaving vast untapped potential. Chairman Anil Agarwal underscored the company’s commitment to unlocking these resources and driving national growth through the oil and gas sector.
Cairn operates 63 blocks across 73,000 sq km, working with global partners such as TechnipFMC, EMGS, Nabors, Weatherford, Halliburton, and Baker Hughes to advance its projects.
Source:
Cairn Oil & Gas. “Cairn Oil & Gas supports India’s Energy Aatmanirbharta by accelerating E&P activities in India.” Press Release, 13 August 2025. Available at here.