Samudra Manthan (National Offshore Exploration Scheme)
Why in News?The Union Cabinet approved the Samudra Manthan (National Offshore Exploration Scheme) with an outlay of ₹84,084 crore to accelerate offshore oil and gas exploration and strengthen India's energy security.
Background
- India imports around 85% of its crude oil requirement, making energy security a strategic priority.
- Offshore sedimentary basins have significant untapped hydrocarbon reserves, especially in deepwater and ultra-deepwater regions.
- Samudra Manthan is a Central Sector Scheme launched by the Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas (MoPNG).
- The scheme aims to promote exploration in frontier offshore basins through financial support and advanced technologies.
- It focuses on increasing domestic production of crude oil and natural gas while reducing import dependence.
- The scheme has a total financial outlay of ₹84,084 crore.
- The programme supports deepwater and ultra-deepwater exploration where commercial risks are high.
- It encourages modern seismic surveys, exploratory drilling and digital exploration technologies.
- The scheme aims to attract both public and private sector investment in offshore exploration.
- The scheme will improve India's energy security by enhancing domestic hydrocarbon production.
- It will reduce the oil import bill and improve the country's external sector.
- The initiative will promote technological advancement and employment in the upstream petroleum sector.
- It supports the vision of Atmanirbhar Bharat and long-term energy resilience.
- Offshore exploration involves high capital investment and technological complexity.
- Environmental concerns and lengthy exploration timelines may delay commercial production.
- Global crude oil price fluctuations can affect project viability.
- The Cabinet approved the scheme in 2026 to unlock India's offshore hydrocarbon potential.
- The initiative complements reforms such as HELP, OALP, and the National Data Repository (NDR).
- India should expand exploration in frontier basins using advanced technology and global expertise.
- Stable policy support and environmental safeguards should be ensured for sustainable offshore development.
- Offshore exploration should complement India's clean energy transition to achieve long-term energy security.
