Cabinet Approves ₹84,084-Crore ‘Samudra Manthan’ Scheme to Unlock India’s Offshore Energy Potential – Indian PSU

The Union Cabinet, chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, has approved ‘Samudra Manthan’ – the National Offshore Exploration Scheme, a landmark Central Sector Scheme of the Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas with an approved outlay of ₹84,084 crore for implementation up to FY 2030-31.

The ambitious scheme is designed to unlock India’s vast offshore hydrocarbon potential and significantly strengthen the country’s long-term energy security. Inspired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s vision, articulated during his Independence Day address from the Red Fort in 2025, the initiative seeks to usher in a new era of offshore exploration, technological innovation and domestic energy production.

A Major Push for Offshore Exploration

Samudra Manthan represents one of the largest public investments in India’s upstream petroleum sector. The scheme covers the entire offshore exploration value chain and includes:

• Large-scale acquisition, processing and interpretation of high-quality seismic data.
• Accelerated deepwater and ultra-deepwater exploratory drilling.
• Scientific drilling in frontier offshore basins.
• Development of common offshore production and evacuation infrastructure.
• Establishment of an integrated Oil & Gas Manufacturing and Services Zone.
• Digital programme management and technology adoption.
• Capacity building, stakeholder engagement and international collaboration.

The integrated approach is expected to create a robust ecosystem that accelerates offshore exploration and production while promoting innovation and global competitiveness.

Strengthening India’s Energy Security

The government expects the scheme to catalyse the addition of more than 600 Million Metric Tons of Oil Equivalent (MMTOE) in hydrocarbon reserves, substantially increase offshore exploration activity and boost domestic crude oil and natural gas production.

The initiative is also expected to generate significant employment opportunities, strengthen indigenous manufacturing under the Make in India and Atmanirbhar Bharat initiatives, and promote the growth of a globally competitive offshore technology and services ecosystem.

In addition to enhancing energy security, Samudra Manthan is likely to attract substantial investments across the exploration and production value chain, driving long-term industrial growth, innovation and economic development.

Building on a Decade of Reforms

The approval builds upon a series of reforms undertaken by the government over the past decade in the upstream oil and gas sector. These include opening nearly the entire offshore acreage for exploration, modernising the legislative and contractual framework, and strengthening the National Data Repository.

According to the government, Samudra Manthan will complement these reforms by combining strategic public investment with cutting-edge technologies and world-class infrastructure to accelerate offshore exploration.

Towards Viksit Bharat

As India moves towards its vision of becoming a developed nation, the government believes Samudra Manthan will play a transformational role in unlocking offshore energy resources, enhancing energy independence, deepening technological capabilities and creating sustainable economic value for future generations.

The scheme is expected to emerge as a cornerstone of India’s long-term strategy to reduce import dependence, strengthen energy resilience and position the country as a global hub for offshore oil and gas exploration and services.