New Delhi: Dr. Dulal Halder has assumed charge as Director (Operations) of ONGC Videsh Ltd., India’s largest international upstream oil and gas company.
Dr. Halder brings more than three decades of experience in the upstream oil and gas industry, spanning domestic and international operations, business development, mergers and acquisitions, project management, and corporate strategy. He began his career with ONGC as a production engineer at the Mumbai High offshore asset. During this period, he played a key role in the first redevelopment plan of Mumbai High North and South, one of India’s most important oil fields. His work on feasibility studies and timely investment approvals helped improve the asset’s productivity.
In 2001, Dr. Halder joined ONGC Videsh to support its overseas expansion. Under his leadership, the company expanded from a single exploration block in Vietnam to a portfolio of 35 international projects. Overseas production peaked at 14.98 million metric tonnes by 2020.
He has led several landmark international transactions in countries such as Sudan, Nigeria, Qatar, Angola, Kenya, Gabon, Ecuador, New Zealand, Canada, Malaysia, and Russia. One of his notable achievements was his role in India’s first overseas equity oil acquisition from Canada’s Talisman Energy in 2003.
Over the years, Dr. Halder has held several senior positions, including Senior Vice President for Strategy and Corporate Planning, Vice President for International Acquisitions and Business Development, Country Manager for Nigeria, and Executive Officer to the MD and CEO. He has overseen deep-water drilling operations, negotiated major global deals, and built strong partnerships with international energy companies.
In India, he has managed major onshore and offshore projects in Mumbai Offshore and Assam, focusing on redevelopment, capacity expansion, and technology adoption. His contributions have earned him the ONGC Chairman’s Award and multiple ONGC Videsh CEO Awards.
