The bid submission deadline for both the rounds is now November 15, 2026. While under OALP-X the government is offering 25 oil and gas blocks spread across 1.82 lakh sq km, it is offering 20 blocks across more than 80,000 sq km under the OALP-XI bidding round.
The extension is likely due to the recently announced government’s financial support for E&P activities under the around $8 billion Samudra Manthan scheme, which targets scouting for oil and gas reserves across India’s deep and ultradeep blocks. The National Offshore Exploration Scheme was approved by the Cabinet in July. It offers government support of up to 50 per cent of eligible drilling costs or ₹675 crore per well for 60 deepwater exploratory wells.
Awaiting details
The finer details of the scheme are yet to be formulated by the MoPNG. Sources said the delay on OALP bidding rounds is due to the pending operational framework under Samudra Manthan. The Oil Ministry is already working on a year-wise execution road map for drilling, seismic surveys and rig deployment. It was launched on February 11, 2025.The bid submission date for OALP-X has been extended six times. This is the largest bid round so far in terms of acreage offered in a single OALP bid round under the Hydrocarbon Exploration and Licensing Policy (HELP) regime. Out of 25 blocks offered, six blocks each are in Onland and Shallow Water, followed by 12 blocks in Ultra Deep-Water and 1 block in deep water areas.
The OALP-XI bidding round, which was launched in March 2026, also has a substantial offshore component, with 9 offshore blocks comprising shallow water, deepwater and ultra deepwater areas.
Under the OALP Rounds I–IX, a total of 172 exploration blocks covering 3.79 lakh sq km have been awarded, attracting committed investments of about $4.36 billion and resulting in 21 hydrocarbon discoveries.
The progress achieved under OALP till March 2026 includes acquisition of 37,740 Lakh km of 2D seismic data and 52,000 sq km of 3D seismic data under the Committed Work Programme, drilling of 114 exploratory wells against committed obligations and 21 hydrocarbon discoveries.
Published on September 10, 2026
