Hardeep Puri outlines exploration push at 9th OPEC International Seminar, Vienna
On 9 July 2025 at the 9th OPEC International Seminar in Vienna, Petroleum Minister Hardeep Singh Puri said 2.5 lakh sq km had been opened under OALP Round-10 and set an exploration-acreage target of 1.0 million sq km by 2030.
Summary
Petroleum and Natural Gas Minister Hardeep Singh Puri addressed the 9th OPEC International Seminar in Vienna, Austria, on 9 July 2025 on 'Oil Markets: Energy Security, Growth & Prosperity'. Puri said India had opened 2.5 lakh sq km under OALP Round-10 and aimed to raise exploration acreage to 0.5 million sq km by 2025 and 1.0 million sq km by 2030, citing the shift from production sharing to a revenue sharing model under HELP and a 99% cut in 'No-Go' areas. On the sidelines he met Kuwait's Oil Minister Tareq Sulaiman Al-Roumi; the ministry noted Kuwait is India's 6th largest source of crude oil and 4th largest source of LPG.
Key facts
- Event
- 9th OPEC International Seminar, Vienna, 9 July 2025
- OALP Round-10
- 2.5 lakh sq km opened
- Targets
- Exploration acreage 0.5 million sq km by 2025; 1.0 million sq km by 2030
- Reforms
- HELP revenue sharing model; 'No-Go' areas cut by 99%; ORD Act 1948 amended
- Kuwait
- India's 6th largest crude source, 4th largest LPG source
Practice MCQs 3 questions
Where was the 9th OPEC International Seminar, addressed by Hardeep Singh Puri on 9 July 2025, held?
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Correct answer: D — Vienna
MoPNG: Shri Puri addressed the 9th OPEC International Seminar in Vienna, Austria.
According to Hardeep Singh Puri at the OPEC seminar in July 2025, how much area has India opened for exploration under OALP Round-10?
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Correct answer: C — 2.5 lakh sq km
MoPNG: the Minister outlined India's momentum to explore by opening 2.5 lakh sq km under OALP Round-10.
What exploration-acreage target for 2030 did Hardeep Singh Puri state at the 9th OPEC International Seminar?
Show answer
Correct answer: A — 1.0 million sq km
MoPNG: 'Our aim is to increase exploration acreage to 0.5 million sq km by 2025 and 1.0 million sq km by 2030.'