India Nears Major Oil Find in Andaman, Says Minister Puri
India is on the cusp of a potentially massive oil discovery in the Andaman Sea, which could unlock a hydrocarbon reserve worth approximately ₹2 lakh crore, according to Union Petroleum and Natural Gas Minister Hardeep Singh Puri. Describing the scale of the find as comparable to the recent discoveries in Guyana, the minister suggested that such a breakthrough could significantly advance India’s ambition to become a $20 trillion economy.
“India may be on the verge of a Guyana-like moment, with the discovery of what could be a 2 lakh crore rupees hydrocarbon reserve in the Andaman deep waters,” Puri stated during a public interaction in New Delhi. Emphasizing the strategic and economic importance of the find, he noted that preliminary exploration data indicates a high-yielding reserve that, if confirmed and tapped efficiently, could serve as a cornerstone in India’s long-term energy and economic growth strategy.
India Oil Discovery
The area under discussion lies in the deep-sea basin of the Andaman and Nicobar Islands, which has remained largely unexplored in terms of hydrocarbon potential. The exploration efforts are being led by Oil and Natural Gas Corporation (ONGC) and other allied agencies using advanced seismic imaging and deep-water drilling techniques. Officials say this could be the largest such reserve discovered by India in recent decades.
Puri elaborated that these reserves, once commercially confirmed and monetized, will not only reduce India’s dependence on imported oil but also bolster domestic energy security. India currently imports more than 85% of its crude oil requirements, making it vulnerable to global price shocks and geopolitical instability.
Andaman Sea Reserves
“When we say India is going to be a $20 trillion economy, where is the oil and gas going to come from? From the Andamans!” the minister remarked, underscoring how indigenous energy production is crucial to realizing the government’s economic vision. He added that strategic efforts have been ramped up to accelerate exploration timelines and fast-track production if the reserves prove viable.
India’s Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas has reportedly initiated discussions with global energy partners for potential collaborations, given the technical challenges of ultra-deep-sea extraction. However, the government aims to ensure that Indian companies play a leading role in any future production phase.
Hardeep Puri’s Oil Projection
While cautioning that the final validation of the reserve’s commercial viability would take time, Puri maintained an optimistic tone, citing advances in geological assessments and drilling precision. “We’re talking about a Guyana-like reserve right here in our own backyard,” he reiterated.
If confirmed, this discovery could mark a historic turning point in India’s energy independence journey and position the country as a significant offshore oil player in the Indo-Pacific region.
