The Centre has reiterated its commitment to accelerating hydrocarbon exploration and energy development in India’s northeastern region, underlining both the area’s historical significance and its future role in the country’s energy landscape.
In a press meet on Thursday at the India Energy Week in Goa, Minister for Petroleum and Natural Gas Hardeep Singh Puri said that the northeast remains a priority area for the sector, noting that India’s hydrocarbon journey itself began there in 1889 with drilling at Digboi, which later became the country’s first refinery.
Ranjit Rath, Chairman and Managing Director of Oil India, said that the company recorded its highest-ever production last year and plans to sustain this momentum. He added that Oil India will undertake its highest-ever drilling activity in the northeast, with a strong focus on near-field exploration and production in the current year.
Puri added that refining capacity in the region has already been expanded, including the addition of around three million metric tonnes in recent years, while efforts are continuing to identify new hydrocarbon resources.
He said that some exploration initiatives have faced delays due to differences between states, but expressed confidence that these issues would be resolved.
