Question : Investment in Hydrocarbon Exploration

(a) the details of mega/new initiatives taken by the Government to promote and develop oil and gas / hydrocarbon sector along with fund allocated / spent during the last two years and the current year, State / UT-wise;
(b) whether the Government proposes to grant extension to the Production Sharing Contracts signed by the Government awarding pre-NELP Exploration Blocks to enable and facilitate investment and extract the remaining reserves and if so, the details thereof;
(c) whether the Hydrocarbon Sector Skill council instituted under Skill India initiative has started imparting training to the prime stakeholders in the oil sector and if so, the details thereof;
(d) the details of prospects envisaged in the Hydrocarbon Vision 2030 for North Eastern Region of the country along with its benefits for the direct and indirect employment in that region;
(e) the details of onshore/offshore crude oil and natural gas reserves explored/ produced and ultimate reserve accretion including funds sanctioned, allocated and utilised for the purpose so far along with target fixed and achievements made therefrom, State/UT/block-wise; and
(f) whether the Government is seeking/proposes to seek the help of foreign countries like United States of America and Russia etc. to introduce advanced technology in finding full potential of our reserves of oil and natural gas and if so, the details thereof?

MINISTER OF STATE (I/C) IN THE MINISTRY OF PETROLEUM & NATURAL GAS
(SHRI DHARMENDRA PRADHAN)
(a): In order to promote and develop oil and gas in the country following steps are taken / being taken by the Government:
i. Implementation of Hydrocarbon Exploration Licensing Policy (HELP) alongwith Open Acreage Licensing Policy (OALP) and Dissemination of Geo-Scientific data through National data repository (NDR)
ii. Discovered Small Field Policy for Early Monetization of Discovered Fields of ONGC and OIL
iii. Extension of Existing Production Sharing Contracts
iv. Appraisal of unapprised areas in various sedimentary basins under National Seismic Program. ONGC and OIL have incurred an expenditure of Rs 257.98 crore these activities so far.
v. Multi-client Geo-scientific Surveys/activities in order to enable systematic exploration in unapprised areas in various sedimentary basins
vi. Re-Assessment of Hydrocarbon Resources of the country.
The above policies are envisaged to be implemented with private sector investment. An expenditure of Rs. 15.51 Crore have been incurred for setting up National Data Repository.
(b): Government has approved a policy for grant of extension to the Production Sharing Contracts (PSC) signed by Government of India awarding Pre-NELP Exploration Blocks to enable and facilitate investment to extract the remaining recoverable reserves.
(c): Hydrocarbon Sector Skill Council (HSSC) instituted under Skill India initiative on 26.04.2016 is entrusted with taking up accreditation of training service providers for different trades, engagement of minimum number of certified manpower, third party certification, compliance and monitoring of skill development programmes. Further, oil Public Sector Undertaking have set up 4 Skill Development Institutes (SDIs) in the country, which have starting imparting training in various disciplines.
(d): Hydrocarbon Vision 2030 document for north-east India has a focused and consultative exercise to develop a common and shared aspiration for benefiting people of the north east region. The objectives of the plan are to leverage the region’s hydrocarbon potential, enhance access to clean fuels, improve availability of petroleum products, facilitate economic development and to link common people to the economic activities in this sector. The Vision document aims at doubling Oil & Gas production by 2030, making clean fuels accessible, fast tracking projects, generating employment opportunities and promoting cooperation with neighboring countries.
(e): The details of onshore/offshore crude oil and natural gas reserves explored/produced and ultimate reserves accretion are at Annexure. Hydrocarbon exploration & production activities are undertaken by National Oil Companies and Private/Joint Venture Companies from their own resources, the Government do not allocate/spend fund for E&P activities/projects.
(f): Memorandums of Understanding (MoUs) have been signed between the Government and international organizations for mutual cooperation in the area of upstream E&P sector. Currently, there are six active MOUs and extension of two expired MOUs is underway. These MoUs have been signed with different countries i.e. Germany(02), Japan (01), USA (04) & Norway (01) to exchange technical knowledge and technical information on gas hydrate, research & development, human resource development, exchange of knowledge and expertise in the area concerning shale gas resource assessment etc.
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