Vedanta’s Cairn Oil Expands Exploration with 7 New OALP Round IX Blocks

Cairn Oil & Gas, a vertical of Vedanta Limited, has significantly bolstered its exploration portfolio by acquiring seven new blocks under the Open Acreage Licensing Policy (OALP) Round-IX. As India’s largest private oil and gas producer, Cairn’s latest acquisition underlines its ongoing commitment to energy security and resource development. This strategic move not only enhances its domestic presence but also advances its vision of contributing half of India’s crude oil production.

Stronger Position through OALP Round-IX

With this acquisition, Cairn’s total number of oil and gas blocks rises to 69, now spanning approximately 73,000 square kilometres. The newly secured areas include 4 onshore and three shallow water blocks situated in prominent hydrocarbon basins—Cambay, Saurashtra, and Mumbai. This makes Cairn the largest private participant in the ninth round, winning 7 out of the 28 blocks auctioned.

Cairn holds 100% participatory interest in all of its OALP blocks, ensuring complete operational control. The company’s presence across multiple OALP rounds, including 36 blocks in Round I, 5 in Round II, and 3 in Round III, demonstrates a long-term strategy of aggressive expansion. These steps reflect Cairn’s focused ambition to support India’s domestic crude production targets.

Driving Growth Along the West Coast

The strategic significance of the newly acquired blocks is reinforced by Cairn’s existing operations in Gujarat. The company already runs the Lakshmi and Gauri offshore fields and the Jaya onshore field, both critical to the Cambay basin. Cairn is also preparing for further appraisal and exploration in the Ambe shallow water block in the Gulf of Cambay.

Beyond expansion, Cairn remains committed to sustainability. It has pledged to achieve net-zero emissions by 2030 and is the first Indian firm to join the United Nations Environment Programme’s OGMP 2.0 initiative. With a robust mix of conventional and unconventional assets across states like Rajasthan, Andhra Pradesh, Gujarat, and Assam, Cairn is at the forefront of innovation and responsibility in India’s energy sector.

Vedanta Share Performance 

As of April 16, 2025,9:30 AM, Vedanta Share Price is trading at ₹398.05, reflecting a 0.55% surge from the previous closing price. 

Conclusion

Cairn Oil & Gas’s latest success in OALP Round-IX cements its role as a major force in India’s energy landscape. With a growing portfolio, environmentally conscious operations, and a sharp focus on expanding exploration along the West Coast, Cairn is steadily advancing towards its goal of reshaping India’s energy future.

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