Oil India taps Exxon, Total to bid for oil blocks: report

State‑owned Oil India Ltd is discussing joint bids with global energy firms ExxonMobil, TotalEnergies, and Petrobras for hydrocarbon blocks in the 10th auction under India’s Open Acreage Licensing Policy (OALP‑X), Mint reported, citing people aware of the development.

The OALP‑X round, which opened in February, offers around 250,000 sq. km for exploration and closes on 31 July, although there are indications that the deadline may be extended, the report said.

Oil India is targeting deep‑ and ultra‑deepwater territories, seeking to leverage the technical expertise of these potential international partners.

This follows a February memorandum of understanding with Petrobras to collaborate on offshore exploration.

OIL has also signed NDAs and begun sharing data with potential partners.

In the earlier OALP‑IX round, Oil India secured nine blocks totaling about 51,000 sq. km, including three awarded jointly with ONGC in basins such as Cambay and Mahanadi.

Engaging ExxonMobil, TotalEnergies, and Petrobras aims to bring in deepwater drilling expertise and financial capacity, a strategic move as India accelerates exploration to boost domestic energy security and reduce import dependence

Bids are expected by the deadline (or any approved extension), with results and block awards likely in the coming months.

Technical partners may participate under production‑sharing or revenue‑sharing models, and further details will emerge once final selections are made.