India Unleashes 'Samudra Manthan' to Tap Offshore Oil and Gas Potential

India's National Deep Water Exploration Mission, 'Samudra Manthan', aims to unlock the country's offshore oil and gas potential. The mission is a strategic move by Prime Minister Narendra Modi to ensure India's energy security.

The scheme will be implemented through FY 2030-31 and is expected to add over 600 Million Metric Tons of Oil Equivalent (MMTOE) to India's reserves. It includes large-scale seismic surveys, deepwater exploration, scientific drilling, shared offshore infrastructure, and an integrated manufacturing ecosystem.

India's dependence on oil imports has been a concern for the country. In FY 2025-26, domestic crude oil production stood at 28.71 million tonnes, while crude oil import dependence reached 88.7%. The scheme is designed to address this issue by increasing domestic oil and gas production.

Experts see the Samudra Manthan scheme as a significant strategic initiative for India's upstream sector. They believe it reflects a shift from simply managing import dependence to actively expanding domestic resource development.