Cairn Oil & Gas, part of Vedanta Group, and India’s largest private oil and gas exploration and production company, has kicked off a large exploration campaign to unlock hydrocarbons from Indian sedimentary basins and increase production to meet the country’s growing energy requirements, and reduce its import dependency, especially in the changing geo-political environment.
With a vision to increase its production to 300,000 boepd contributing to India’s Swadeshi movement towards achieving energy security, Cairn has charted a strategic growth plan focussed on forging partnerships with global oil and gas companies, service and rig providers, to fastrack exploration and production. The company’s planned investment of USD 4-5 billion over the next 3-4 years covers both conventional and unconventional hydrocarbons – across Deep and Shallow waters offshore in the East and West Coast, and onshore in Rajasthan and North-East.
While high-powered drilling rigs are already deployed at Cairn’s Onshore operational sites, the company is also set to begin drilling exploratory wells in its offshore blocks in Ambe and Dwarka on the West Coast. To further strengthen the west coast portfolio, Cairn acquired three shallow water blocks in OALP Round IX.
The company has also planned investments and locked-in partners for deepwater exploration in the Krishna-Godavari (KG) Basin off India’s east coast, where it has conducted a 3D Controlled Source Electromagnetic Survey (CSEM) survey with a Norwegian company, EMGS. Drilling is set to begin in 2026 in the 3,600 sq. km area.
India, the world’s third-largest energy consumer and the fastest growing large economy, imports nearly 90% of its crude requirements. Despite the heavy reliance on imports, only 16% of the country’s sedimentary basins have been explored so far, highlighting the significant potential in India’s hydrocarbon basins.
“Energy security is fundamental to a country’s progress”, Vedanta Chairman Anil Agarwal had said in an earlier social media post.
“India holds immense untapped potential of hydrocarbon reserves and we at Vedanta, remain fully committed to unlocking this opportunity. With technology enabled drilling programs and encouraging prospects from the North-East, we are focused on boosting domestic production and reducing import dependency. This sector delivers maximum value – in revenue generation, job creation and long-term national growth, without any subsidies. Globally, economies have been built and developed on the backbone of oil and gas sector. Now, it is India’s turn – to explore, to produce and to lead”, he had said in another post on social media.
Cairn has a total of 63 blocks spread across an acreage of 73,000 sq. km. The company has partnered with many global oil and gas technology companies and service providers such as Technip FMC and Electromagnetic Geoservices (EMGS) for Deepwater exploration, 2H Offshore, Nabors, Weatherford, Haliburton and Baker Hughes for exploration and production in its onshore and offshore fields.
About Cairn Oil & Gas
Cairn Oil & Gas, part of Vedanta Limited, is India’s largest private oil and gas exploration and production company, contributing about a quarter of India’s domestic crude production and driving energy security for the country. With a world-class resource base, Cairn has an interest in 63 blocks in India spread over 73,000 square kilometres with gross 2P (Gross Proved Plus Probable Reserves) and 2C (Gross Contingent Reserves) of 1.4 bnboe. Cairn has producing assets across Rajasthan, Andhra Pradesh, Gujarat, and Assam, and has spearheaded several technological innovations with high-reward prospects, over the last 30 years of its operations. The company has a vision to contribute 50% of India’s domestic production, executing one of the largest exploration projects in the country across its diversified portfolio comprising conventional and unconventional projects such as Tight Oil & Gas, Deep & Shallow Water, ASP Injection, Shale Exploration and Satellite Field Monetisation, reinstating the faith in India’s hydrocarbon potential.
Cairn is committed to achieving Net Zero by 2030 by prioritising environmental resilience and is driving transformative social impact at scale. It is the first Indian company to sign the United Nations Environment Programme’s methane reporting and reduction initiative – OGMP 2.0.
About Vedanta Limited
Vedanta Limited (“Vedanta”), a subsidiary of Vedanta Resources Limited, is one of the world’s leading natural resources, critical minerals, energy and technology companies spanning across India, South Africa, Namibia, Liberia, UAE, Saudi Arabia, Korea, Taiwan and Japan with significant operations in Oil & Gas, Zinc, Lead, Silver, Copper, Iron Ore, Steel, Nickel, Aluminium, Power & Glass Substrate and foraying into electronics and display glass manufacturing. For two decades, Vedanta has been contributing significantly to nation building. Governance and sustainable development are at the core of Vedanta’s strategy, with a strong focus on health, safety, and environment. Vedanta has put in place a comprehensive framework to be the ESG leader in the natural resources sector, is committed to reducing carbon emissions to net zero by 2050 or sooner and aims to spend $5 billion over the next 10 years to accelerate this transition. Giving back is in the DNA of Vedanta, which is focused on enhancing the lives of local communities. Anil Agarwal Foundation, the umbrella entity for Vedanta’s social initiatives, aims to spend Rs 5000 crore over the next five years on various social impact programs and its flagship project, Nand Ghar is setting up model anganwadis across India. Vedanta Ltd. ranked among top 5 in the S&P Global Corporate Sustainability Assessment 2024, and has been listed in the Dow Jones Sustainability World Index. The company has also been certified as a Great Place to Work and Kincentric Best Employer 2023. Vedanta Limited is listed on the Bombay Stock Exchange and the National Stock Exchange.
