Indian oil minister Dharmendra Pradhan has asked exploration companies to consider farming out their acreages to global players with advanced technology to expedite development and raise oil and gas output. India, the world's third biggest oil importer and consumer, depends on foreign purchases for over 80% of its oil needs. The nation's oil and gas output has been stagnant for years, forcing it to raise reliance on imports to meet rising fuel demand.
He said the government will grant petroleum mining lease rights but the companies should consider a farm-out (of a stake) to get global technology players. He stated Indian exploration companies should work at exponential speed to unlock resources.
India's exploration licensing rounds have so far seen a lukewarm response from global oil majors, with most of the blocks awarded to local companies, mainly ONGC and Oil India. He mentioned the companies have to reject a 'business as usual approach' and adopt a professionally-run 'commercially viable and technological friendly' model to boost output. He urged Indian exploration companies to function like holding firms and share revenue and profit with their new technical and financial partners. This will also boost the nation's resources and add to the federal exchequer.