India Extends Oil & Gas Bid Deadline to December 2025

The Directorate General of Hydrocarbons (DGH) has announced a further extension for bid submissions under the latest oil and gas block auction. The deadline for the 10th round of the Open Acreage Licensing Policy (OALP-X), which offers the largest exploration acreage to date, has been moved to December 31, 2025. Initially launched in February 2025 with a deadline of July, the OALP-X round had already seen its submission date extended to October. This marks the second extension. The OALP framework allows companies flexibility to select and bid for exploration blocks throughout the year via periodic rounds.

This latest extension is intended to give companies additional time to thoroughly assess geological data and make informed investment decisions for oil and gas exploration projects.

Impact: This extension could potentially lead to increased participation from a wider range of investors by providing more time for due diligence. It may also help attract more competitive bids in a sector crucial for India's energy security. The delay might push project timelines slightly but offers a more robust bidding environment. Impact Rating: 6/10.

Difficult Terms: Directorate General of Hydrocarbons (DGH): The primary government body responsible for regulating the exploration and production of oil and gas in India. Open Acreage Licensing Policy (OALP-X): A policy by the Indian government that allows companies to select specific oil and gas exploration blocks they are interested in and bid for them. 'X' denotes the round number (e.g., OALP-10). Acreage: Refers to the land or area, typically of offshore or onshore territory, that is available for oil and gas exploration and production.