New Delhi: Oil and Natural Gas Corporation (ONGC) and Bharat PetroResources Limited (BPRL), a wholly owned subsidiary of Bharat Petroleum Corporation Limited (BPCL), have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to deepen strategic cooperation in India’s upstream exploration sector.
The MoU was signed on the sidelines of India Energy Week (IEW) 2026, held at the ONGC Advanced Training Institute (ATI) in Goa, marking a significant step toward collaborative exploration under upcoming bid rounds announced by the Government of India.
Under the agreement, ONGC and BPRL will work together on technical collaboration, joint evaluations, and partnership opportunities in future exploration blocks. The framework emphasizes risk-sharing mechanisms, optimisation of exploration resources, and enhanced technical cooperation, aimed at improving exploration efficiency and project outcomes.
The MoU was signed in the presence of Arunangshu Sarkar, Director (Strategy & Corporate Affairs), ONGC; Om Prakash Singh, Director (Exploration), ONGC; Vikas, Managing Director, BPRL; and Kamal Chopra, Director (Finance), BPRL.
Industry observers view the collaboration as a strategic alignment between two key public sector energy players, leveraging complementary technical strengths to support India’s long-term energy security goals. The partnership is expected to enhance participation in future licensing rounds while reducing exploration risks through coordinated efforts.
The agreement reflects ONGC’s and BPRL’s shared commitment to strengthening India’s domestic hydrocarbon exploration ecosystem, supporting self-reliance in energy, and advancing the country’s upstream capabilities through collaboration and innovation.