What is Samudra Manthan and why is India investing Rs 84,084 crore in it?
Inspired by an ancient myth but powered by geoscience, India's new programme aims to reduce the country's dependence on imported oil and gas. Here's all you need to know.
India has launched an ambitious offshore energy exploration programme called Samudra Manthan, a long-term initiative aimed at finding more oil and natural gas beneath the sea.
Officially known as the National Offshore Exploration Scheme, the programme has been approved with an outlay of 84,084 crore rupees and will run until FY 2030-31.
The goal is to strengthen India's energy security by boosting domestic oil and gas exploration in deepwater regions, where vast resources are believed to exist but remain largely unexplored.
The name Samudra Manthan is inspired by the ancient Hindu mythological story of the churning of the ocean, which symbolises the search for hidden treasures.
According to the government, the initiative reflects Prime Minister Narendra Modi's vision, first outlined during his 2025 Independence Day speech, of undertaking a modern-day Samudra Manthan to unlock India's offshore energy potential.
The programme comes as India imports around 88-89% of its crude oil and about half of its natural gas, making the country heavily dependent on overseas supplies as its energy demand continues to rise.
WHY DOES INDIA NEED SAMUDRA MANTHAN?
India has several offshore sedimentary basins that may contain oil and natural gas, but many remain largely unexplored because exploration is technically difficult, expensive and risky.
Under the scheme, the government will fund key early-stage work such as large-scale seismic surveys, geological studies, exploratory drilling and the development of shared offshore infrastructure.
The aim is to generate high-quality geological data that can identify promising hydrocarbon resources and encourage greater investment in offshore exploration.
The programme is also expected to attract investments across the oil and gas value chain while strengthening India's offshore energy ecosystem.
WHAT EXACTLY WILL SAMUDRA MANTHAN DO?
The scheme will systematically map offshore sedimentary basins using advanced seismic technologies before undertaking exploratory drilling in promising deepwater and ultra-deepwater blocks.
It also includes scientific drilling in frontier basins, common offshore production and evacuation infrastructure, an Integrated Oil & Gas Manufacturing and Services Zone, advanced technologies, digital programme management and capacity building.
The government expects the initiative to add more than 600 million metric tonnes of oil equivalent to oil and gas reserves over time.
While commercial production is still years away, successful discoveries could reduce India's dependence on energy imports, strengthen long-term energy security, attract investment, create jobs and boost the country's offshore energy capabilities.
India has launched an ambitious offshore energy exploration programme called Samudra Manthan, a long-term initiative aimed at finding more oil and natural gas beneath the sea.
Officially known as the National Offshore Exploration Scheme, the programme has been approved with an outlay of 84,084 crore rupees and will run until FY 2030-31.
The goal is to strengthen India's energy security by boosting domestic oil and gas exploration in deepwater regions, where vast resources are believed to exist but remain largely unexplored.
The name Samudra Manthan is inspired by the ancient Hindu mythological story of the churning of the ocean, which symbolises the search for hidden treasures.
According to the government, the initiative reflects Prime Minister Narendra Modi's vision, first outlined during his 2025 Independence Day speech, of undertaking a modern-day Samudra Manthan to unlock India's offshore energy potential.
The programme comes as India imports around 88-89% of its crude oil and about half of its natural gas, making the country heavily dependent on overseas supplies as its energy demand continues to rise.
WHY DOES INDIA NEED SAMUDRA MANTHAN?
India has several offshore sedimentary basins that may contain oil and natural gas, but many remain largely unexplored because exploration is technically difficult, expensive and risky.
Under the scheme, the government will fund key early-stage work such as large-scale seismic surveys, geological studies, exploratory drilling and the development of shared offshore infrastructure.
The aim is to generate high-quality geological data that can identify promising hydrocarbon resources and encourage greater investment in offshore exploration.
The programme is also expected to attract investments across the oil and gas value chain while strengthening India's offshore energy ecosystem.
WHAT EXACTLY WILL SAMUDRA MANTHAN DO?
The scheme will systematically map offshore sedimentary basins using advanced seismic technologies before undertaking exploratory drilling in promising deepwater and ultra-deepwater blocks.
It also includes scientific drilling in frontier basins, common offshore production and evacuation infrastructure, an Integrated Oil & Gas Manufacturing and Services Zone, advanced technologies, digital programme management and capacity building.
The government expects the initiative to add more than 600 million metric tonnes of oil equivalent to oil and gas reserves over time.
While commercial production is still years away, successful discoveries could reduce India's dependence on energy imports, strengthen long-term energy security, attract investment, create jobs and boost the country's offshore energy capabilities.
India has launched an ambitious offshore energy exploration programme called Samudra Manthan, a long-term initiative aimed at finding more oil and natural gas beneath the sea.
Officially known as the National Offshore Exploration Scheme, the programme has been approved with an outlay of 84,084 crore rupees and will run until FY 2030-31.
The goal is to strengthen India's energy security by boosting domestic oil and gas exploration in deepwater regions, where vast resources are believed to exist but remain largely unexplored.
The name Samudra Manthan is inspired by the ancient Hindu mythological story of the churning of the ocean, which symbolises the search for hidden treasures.
According to the government, the initiative reflects Prime Minister Narendra Modi's vision, first outlined during his 2025 Independence Day speech, of undertaking a modern-day Samudra Manthan to unlock India's offshore energy potential.
The programme comes as India imports around 88-89% of its crude oil and about half of its natural gas, making the country heavily dependent on overseas supplies as its energy demand continues to rise.
WHY DOES INDIA NEED SAMUDRA MANTHAN?
India has several offshore sedimentary basins that may contain oil and natural gas, but many remain largely unexplored because exploration is technically difficult, expensive and risky.
Under the scheme, the government will fund key early-stage work such as large-scale seismic surveys, geological studies, exploratory drilling and the development of shared offshore infrastructure.
The aim is to generate high-quality geological data that can identify promising hydrocarbon resources and encourage greater investment in offshore exploration.
The programme is also expected to attract investments across the oil and gas value chain while strengthening India's offshore energy ecosystem.
WHAT EXACTLY WILL SAMUDRA MANTHAN DO?
The scheme will systematically map offshore sedimentary basins using advanced seismic technologies before undertaking exploratory drilling in promising deepwater and ultra-deepwater blocks.
It also includes scientific drilling in frontier basins, common offshore production and evacuation infrastructure, an Integrated Oil & Gas Manufacturing and Services Zone, advanced technologies, digital programme management and capacity building.
The government expects the initiative to add more than 600 million metric tonnes of oil equivalent to oil and gas reserves over time.
While commercial production is still years away, successful discoveries could reduce India's dependence on energy imports, strengthen long-term energy security, attract investment, create jobs and boost the country's offshore energy capabilities.
