(a) whether the work of oil exploration on recently offered blocks has since been commenced;
(b) if so, the time by which it is likely to be completed; and
(c) the steps taken by the Government to award the bids in respect of the remaining oil exploration blocks?
MINISTER OF STATE FOR THE MINISTRY OF PETROLEUM AND NATURAL GAS
(SH. SANTOSH KUMAR GANGWAR)
(a) & (b) :- No, Sir. The Production Sharing Contracts (PSCs) containing detailed terms and conditions, work programme etc. for the blocks awarded under first round of New Exploration Licensing Policy (NELP) have not been signed so far.
(c) The exploration activities in the country involving acquisition of new data, reprocessing/ reinterpretation of the existing datas and offer of blocks form a continuous and ongoing process.