In a move aimed at encouraging broader participation from domestic and international energy players, the Directorate General of Hydrocarbons (DGH) has announced a second extension of the bid submission deadline for the 10th round of the Open Acreage Licensing Policy (OALP-X). Originally launched in February 2025 during India Energy Week in New Delhi, the round was initially scheduled to close by the end of July, later extended to October 31, and now further postponed to December 31, 2025.
OALP-X represents the largest acreage offering to date under India’s hydrocarbon exploration framework, with 25 blocks covering approximately 191,986 square kilometers. The extension is expected to provide potential investors additional time to analyze geological data, conduct due diligence, and finalize their investment strategies.
In addition to OALP-X, the government has also extended deadlines for other concurrent bidding rounds, including the fourth round of the Discovered Small Field (DSF) initiative and a special round for coal-bed methane (CBM) blocks.
The Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas has emphasized that the decision aligns with its broader strategy to boost domestic oil and gas production, reduce import dependency, and attract fresh capital and technology into the sector. The move follows recent legislative reforms, including the approval of the Oilfields (Regulation and Development) Act, 2025, and the opening up of 99% of previously restricted offshore areas for exploration.
Industry experts view the extension as a pragmatic step to ensure robust competition and maximize resource utilization. However, some analysts caution that repeated deadline shifts may signal underlying challenges in investor confidence or data readiness.
The government remains optimistic that the extended window will lead to significant discoveries and enhanced energy security for the country.
