India to auction 250,000 sq km offshore blocks after Gulf supply shock
Facing supply shocks from the Red Sea and Strait of Hormuz closures, India will open about 250,000 sq km of unexplored offshore blocks for bidding under the 'Samudra Manthan' program. The move, aimed at cutting reliance on imports that cover 90% of its crude need, brings major majors and deep‑water experts into the Andaman‑Nicobar basin.