Vedanta has been awarded two offshore blocks under the Discovered Small Field (DSF) IV bidding round, expanding its exploration and production portfolio in the Krishna Godavari (KG) Basin along India’s East Coast. The awarded blocks comprise the shallow-water block KG/OSDSF/G1/2025 and the deepwater block KG/DWDSF/GD10/2025. The awards were formalised at a contract signing ceremony in New Delhi in the presence of Union Minister of Petroleum and Natural Gas Hardeep Singh Puri.
The addition of the blocks is part of Vedanta’s strategy to expand its offshore operations and explore India’s hydrocarbon resources. The company plans to use its technical expertise, operational capabilities and partnerships to assess and develop the newly awarded assets.
Jim Johnny Gast, Interim CEO and Whole Time Director of Vedanta Oil and Gas Limited, said the company was focused on increasing domestic oil and gas production to meet India’s growing energy requirements. “Offshore basins hold significant resource potential and will play a key role in reducing import dependency for oil and gas. The new blocks will augment our portfolio on the East Coast, and we look forward to leveraging our technical expertise, operational capabilities and partnerships to responsibly explore and develop these assets as part of our future growth roadmap,” he said.
The awards come as India steps up efforts to increase domestic hydrocarbon production through exploration, policy measures and investment in offshore resources. They also align with the government’s Samudra Manthan – National Deepwater Exploration Mission, which aims to accelerate offshore exploration and development through technology deployment, faster development of discoveries and investment in deepwater and frontier basins.
Vedanta has already begun deepwater exploration activities in the KG Basin, including 3D con trolled-source electromagnetic (CSEM) surveys to assess prospects and reduce exploration risks ahead of drilling. The company said the new blocks would add to its offshore acreage and support its plans to expand domestic production. Vedanta Oil and Gas, which operates under the Cairn brand, is pursuing exploration and production opportunities intended to contribute to India’s energy security and reduce dependence on imported oil and gas.
Vedanta Oil and Gas Limited, formerly MALCO Energy Limited, is listed on the BSE under code 544782 and on the NSE as VOGL. Operating under the Cairn brand, it holds interests in 43 blocks covering more than 44,000 sq km across India, with gross proved plus probable and contingent resources of 1.3 billion barrels of oil equivalent. Its producing assets are located in Rajasthan, Andhra Pradesh, Gujarat and Assam. The company focuses on conventional and unconventional hydrocarbon resources and aims to expand domestic production while advancing responsible energy development.
