Spudding of first appraisal well, MN-DWN18-1-HD, begins in Mahanadi offshore basin

On 25 July 2026, Union Minister Hardeep Singh Puri inaugurated the spudding of the first appraisal well, MN‑DWN18‑1‑HD, in the Mahanadi Offshore Basin. The well is the first of four planned deep‑water wells aimed at evaluating one of India’s most prospective offshore basins using world‑class drilling technology. The minister linked the activity to a decade of reforms – the Hydrocarbon Exploration and Licensing Policy (HELP), the Open Acreage Licensing Programme (OALP), a transparent revenue‑sharing framework and the opening of nearly 99 % of former offshore “No‑Go” areas – which have led to 172 blocks (≈3.8 lakh km²) being awarded with over USD 4.3 billion in committed investments. In FY 2025‑26, about 674 wells were drilled, five new discoveries made and seven discoveries monetised, underscoring the drive toward energy self‑reliance.