"Oil or Gas reserves will change the face of the country": Hardeep Singh Puri on National Deep Water Mission

In a post on X, Puri wrote, " The oil/gas reserves that will be obtained through deep water exploration will change the face of the country." He added, "India's quest for energy security resonates from the ramparts of the Red Fort. PM Shri @narendramodi Ji lays emphasis on the importance of the National Deep Water Mission in India's efforts to increase domestic exploration and production of hydrocarbons to reduce our dependence on energy imports. Several key reforms, including legislation like the ORD Amendment Act, have been put in place to enhance exploration and production activities in India in the last few years."

The post highlighted India's progress in hydrocarbon exploration, noting, "52 discoveries have been made in the last five years, and 172 since 2014, including 66 offshore. Acreage of more than 0.38 million sq km has been awarded as compared to 82,327 sq km between 2009 and 2014. India's energy sector is exploring new horizons."

Union Minister Puri further added, "Taking a big step towards energy self-reliance of the country, PM @narendramodi today from the ramparts of the Red Fort announced the launch of the National Deep Water Exploration Mission."

"This mission, which promotes indigenisation on the mantra of Make in India, will move forward with the resolve to double the National Reserve by 2032 and triple the current production by 2047, with a focus on finding oil and gas reserves under the sea," he said.

Earlier today, Prime Minister Narendra Modi, in his address to the nation from the ramparts of the Red Fort on Independence Day, announced the National Deep Water Exploration Mission, which aims to explore oil and gas reserves in the sea.

Terming it a "Samudra Manthan," he said the initiative will be executed in Mission Mode, highlighting India's push for energy self-reliance.

"We are now also heading towards 'Samudra Manthan'. Taking this forward, we aim to operate in Mission Mode to explore the oil and gas reserves in the sea. So, India is about to launch the National Deep Water Exploration Mission," PM Modi said.

Earlier this year, in February, the Ministry of Earth Sciences said, "the deep-sea exploration includes biodiversity, survey and mineral resources. Apart from the benefits of scientific research and technological empowerment, this mission has immediate spin-offs in underwater engineering innovations, asset inspection and the promotion of ocean literacy." (ANI)