New Delhi, August 1 (APAC Media): The Union Cabinet, chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, has approved the ‘Samudra Manthan’ National Offshore Exploration Scheme, a Central Sector initiative of the Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas, with an outlay of ₹84,084 crore to be implemented through FY2030-31.
The scheme aims to accelerate offshore oil and gas exploration, strengthen India’s energy security, increase domestic production and promote technological advancement in the upstream energy sector.
Sharing the decision on X, Prime Minister Modi said the scheme would strengthen India’s energy security, unlock offshore resources and support the goals of Make in India and Aatmanirbhar Bharat.
According to the government, the initiative is based on the Prime Minister’s vision of a modern-day ‘Samudra Manthan’, announced during his Independence Day address in 2025, to harness India’s offshore energy potential.
The scheme covers the entire offshore exploration value chain, including seismic data acquisition and interpretation, deepwater and ultra-deepwater exploratory drilling, scientific drilling in frontier basins, development of offshore production and evacuation infrastructure, and the establishment of an integrated Oil and Gas Manufacturing and Services Zone.
It also includes digital programme management, capacity building, technology adoption, stakeholder engagement and international outreach.
The government expects the scheme to help add over 600 Million Metric Tonnes of Oil Equivalent (MMTOE) to reserves, expand offshore exploration and increase domestic crude oil and natural gas production.
According to the official statement, the initiative is also expected to generate employment, strengthen indigenous manufacturing and attract investments across the exploration and production value chain. It builds on upstream sector reforms undertaken over the past decade, including opening offshore acreage for exploration, modernising the legislative framework and strengthening the National Data Repository.
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