Favourable geology, open data access, supporting policy regime and ease of doing business were the major drivers to attract potential US players to invest in India’s energy and petroleum growth wave during a two-day investors meet held here.

The investors meet from September 28-29, showcasing the lucrative fiscal policies and conducive environment of energy and petroleum (E&P) sector, that has seen a paradigm shift in policies aimed at attracting investors for investment was organised by Directorate General of Hydrocarbons (DGH) under the aegis of Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas (MoPNG) and facilitated by Houston Consulate General of India.

MoPNG Secretary Pankaj Jain, in his keynote address to potential investors from over 50 companies; oil and gas majors, financial institutions, private equity firms, service providers and academicians, made a strong pitch to investors interested in doing business with India.

He discussed India's strength and role in the global energy ecosystem and highlighted India as the destination of energy opportunities.

Jain spoke on the latest offering of discovered fields, ease of doing business for bidding and assured an open-door policy to resolve any issue faced by the industry as he sought foreign and private investments to boost domestic oil and gas production.

“India is the world's 4th largest oil importer and the demand is expected to rise driven by an increase in India's per capita consumption of energy which currently stands at one-third of the global average. India wants to be the new destination for global energy players. Oil producers worldwide are eager to gain a foothold in India, where fuel demand is expected to keep rising as the country's economy grows," he said.

“India is exploring the multiple attractive opportunities in the energy sector as it seeks to ensure reliable, affordable and sustainable energy to its growing population, 40 per cent of the working age population is aged between 15-35 years. It is the large growing economy and will be the main driver of rising demand for energy over the next two decades, accounting for 25 per cent of global growth".

“Being the 2nd largest oil consumer, its oil consumption or demand is expected to rise to 450 MMT by 2040 from about 220MT in 2022. India, also being the 2nd largest refiner in Asia with 23 refineries, will increase its refining capacity to 400 MMTPA by 2030 from current 251.2 MMTPA," he said.

He said the Indian government has put in place a liberal and transparent policy wherein most sectors are now open to FDI under the automatic route. In exploration activities of oil and natural gas fields as well 100 per cent FDI is allowed under the automatic route. The measures by Government of India have resulted in India attracting its highest ever FDI inflow of USD 83.57 billion during 2021-22, Jain said.

India’s unique geology offers attractive opportunities especially in unexplored offshore areas, he said, adding the country has several analogous basins where oil and gas discoveries are proven and operations have been undertaken.

"Andaman is similar to South-North Sumatra/ North - Mergui, KG is similar to the Gulf of Mexico, Saurashtra is and Kutch similar to East African rift. 2.36 Mn sq. km offshore area across over 9 offshore basins; with 55 per cent area already appraised via seismic or drilling," he said.

Speaking at the meet, CG Mahajan said India-US energy partnership offers immense opportunities for companies in both countries for building fruitful partnerships in the areas of exploration and production, trade in energy, emerging fuels, manufacturing in India and partnering in the area of services, technology and innovation.

India and the US have a Strategic Clean Energy Partnership (SCEP) with 5 major pillars; power and energy efficiency, renewable energy, responsible oil and gas, sustainable growth and emerging fuels, Mahajan said.

In order to deepen India-US energy partnership, Mahajan said, “Consulate is here as a source, representing the MoPNG and can resolve any issue or concerns regarding investment opportunities, policies, connecting with various agencies, chambers of commerce or planning a trip to India."