Oil India, Total Energies Join Hands For Deepwater Exploration Push
Partnership covers ultra-deep blocks in Mahanadi, Krishna-Godavari and Andaman basins as state explorer taps French major’s offshore expertise
State-run Oil India and French energy major Total Energies have entered into a strategic partnership to explore deep and ultra-deepwater offshore basins in India, strengthening the country’s upstream efforts in frontier regions.
The collaboration centres on ultra-deep-water blocks in the Mahanadi and Krishna-godavari basins that Oil India secured under the ninth round of the Open Acreage Licensing Policy. The two companies will also evaluate prospects in the ongoing tenth round and potential bids in future licensing rounds.
Under a technology service agreement signed in New Delhi on 19 November 2025, Total energies will support Oil India across the deep and ultra-deepwater exploration value chain in the company’s current and planned offshore portfolio. The partnership is aimed at leveraging the French group’s global experience in complex offshore environments.
Total Energies is expected to provide technical and operational support for stratigraphic and test well drilling in offshore Category II and Category III basins, which are seen as holding significant yet under-explored hydrocarbon potential.
The agreement also extends to the appraisal of a gas discovery in shallow offshore blocks in the Andaman basin. Oil India has already reported a natural gas find off the Andaman Islands, regarded as an important development for India’s energy security strategy.
Oil India had won two blocks in the Andaman basin in 2020 in the third round of auctions. The region has been described as energy rich and is considered a key frontier for India’s longer-term gas and oil supply.
The partnership with Total energies is expected to help accelerate exploration, de-risk drilling campaigns and support faster appraisal of new finds across these offshore basins.
