New Delhi: Hours after Prime Minister Narendra Modi unveiled the National Deep-Water Exploration Mission from the ramparts of the Red Fort on the occasion of the India’s 79th Independence Day on Friday, petroleum minister Hardeep Singh Puri noted that the oil/gas reserves obtained through this will change the face of the country.
The mission aims to explore oil and gas reserves beneath the sea, with an ambitious plan to double the National Reserve by 2032 and triple the current production by 2047.
“The oil/gas reserves that will be obtained through deep water exploration will change the face of the country. India’s quest for energy security resonates from the ramparts of the Red Fort. PM Shri @narendramodi Ji lays emphasis on the importance of the National Deep-Water Mission in India’s efforts to increase domestic exploration and production of hydrocarbons to reduce our dependence on energy imports. Several key reforms, including legislation like the ORD Amendment Act, have been put in place to enhance exploration and production activities in India in the last few years,” Puri posted on X.
“52 discoveries have been made in the last five years, and 172 since 2014, including 66 offshore. Acreage of more than 0.38 million sq km has been awarded as compared to 82,327 sq km between 2009 and 2014. India’s energy sector is exploring new horizons,” the minister added.
According to Puri: “This mission, which promotes indigenisation on the mantra of Make in India, will move forward with the resolve to double the National Reserve by 2032 and triple the current production by 2047, with a focus on finding oil and gas reserves under the sea.”
Modi, in his address, called this initiative “Samudra Manthan,” and assured that it will be executed in Mission Mode, highlighting India’s push for energy self-reliance.
ANI reported that In February this year, the Ministry of Earth Sciences had said: “deep-sea exploration includes biodiversity, survey and mineral resources. Apart from the benefits of scientific research and technological empowerment, this mission has immediate spin-offs in underwater engineering innovations, asset inspection and the promotion of ocean literacy.”