ONGC eyes partnership with ExxonMobil to jointly bid for oil & gas blocks

“We are also in talks with ExxonMobil. We are exploring possibilities of joint bidding in future OALP rounds,” research director OP Sinha said. ONGC, in a statement on the sidelines of India Energy Week 2026 on Wednesday, said that the company is yet to receive a response from the US-based energy giant.

Questions sent to ExxonMobil late Wednesday evening remained unanswered by press time.

ONGC had earlier purchased a block as part of the 9th round of auctions. Reliance Industries Ltd (RIL) and UK-based bp plc.

The large upriver facility will focus on exploration activities along the east coast, including the Mahanadi, Krishna-Godavari (KG) and Cauvery basins, and off the Andaman coast, Sinha told reporters.

resource sharing

ONGC also signed an agreement with RIL on Wednesday. Deepwater resource sharing on the east coast of India, particularly in the KG basin and Andaman offshore, to enable cost optimization, faster execution and better asset utilization in complex deepwater projects.

ONGC and RIL will continue to share essential resources required for offshore operations, which may include onshore and offshore processing facilities, drilling platforms, vessels, power, pipelines, logging and well services.

The agreement is expected to provide cost optimization through the joint use of high-value platforms, vessels, logistics and specialized subsea equipment. The company also said it will improve access to limited access, enabling faster mobilization and implementation. Deep water services are available.

On Tuesday, Pankaj Kumar, director (production) of the state-run major power company, said the company has reached out to as many as 10 global energy players to participate in the tender for the role of technical service provider (TSP) to boost production in western offshore fields.

(Rituraj Baruah is in Panaji at the invitation of the Union ministry of petroleum and natural gas)