Oil India Limited (OIL), a Maharatna Central Public Sector Enterprise under the Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas, has secured nine exploration blocks under the ninth round of the Open Acreage Licensing Programme (OALP-IX), marking a major expansion in its exploration portfolio.

With six blocks awarded as sole operator and three in partnership, OIL has added over 51,000 sq km to its portfolio—boosting its total exploration acreage from 60,000 sq km to nearly 110,000 sq km, an 85% increase. Notably, the company achieved a 100% strike rate, winning all nine blocks it bid for, highlighting its technical expertise and strategic focus.

A key highlight of this round is OIL’s foray into deepwater and ultradeep offshore exploration, with more than 47,000 sq km of the awarded blocks located in these high-potential frontiers. The company has also made its debut in the Cambay Basin and the northeastern state of Meghalaya, opening new avenues in previously untapped regions.

The achievement reflects OIL’s alignment with India’s energy goals and is supported by key government initiatives like the Hydrocarbon Exploration and Licensing Policy (HELP), reforms to improve ease of doing business, and the unlocking of ‘No-Go’ areas.

"This is more than just acreage acquisition—it’s a bold step into the future," the company stated, reaffirming its commitment to driving India’s energy security with scale, precision, and ambition.