India is entering a decisive phase in its energy journey as it targets US$ 100 billion oil and gas investments by 2030 to strengthen domestic energy production, build world-class infrastructure and reduce reliance on imports. The announcement, made by Prime Minister Mr. Narendra Modi at India Energy Week 2026, signals the government’s clear intent to position India as a globally competitive energy and refining hub by the end of the decade.

As one of the fastest-growing major economies, India’s energy demand is rising steadily due to urbanisation, industrial expansion, infrastructure development and increasing consumer consumption. To support this growth sustainably, the country needs reliable, affordable and secure energy supplies. The India oil and gas investment news highlights how the government is aligning policy reforms, infrastructure expansion and investor-friendly frameworks to attract long-term capital into the sector.

India’s US$ 100 Billion Oil and Gas Investment Vision

The target of US$ 100 billion oil and gas sector investment by 2030 forms a critical part of a broader US$ 500 billion energy investment opportunity that India is offering to global and domestic investors. This ambitious vision focuses on strengthening the entire energy value chain, including exploration, production, refining, transportation and distribution.

India currently imports a large share of its crude oil and natural gas requirements, exposing the economy to global price volatility and geopolitical risks. By accelerating investments in domestic production and infrastructure, the government aims to enhance energy security, improve supply resilience and stabilise energy costs over the long term.

Expanding Hydrocarbon Exploration Across India

A key pillar of the India oil and gas sector latest news is the aggressive push towards expanding exploration activities. The government plans to increase the exploration area to nearly one million square kilometres, significantly widening the scope for discovering new oil and gas reserves. Already, over 170 hydrocarbon blocks have been allocated to energy companies, reflecting growing investor confidence in India’s upstream potential.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi highlighted that exploration reforms are being introduced to open previously restricted areas, making it easier for companies to invest, explore and produce hydrocarbons. These reforms aim to reduce bureaucratic delays, simplify approvals and provide greater operational flexibility to investors.

Andaman and Nicobar Basin: A New Energy Frontier

One of the most promising developments in the India hydrocarbon exploration update is the focus on the Andaman and Nicobar basin. Described as a new and promising hydrocarbon basin, this region is expected to play a major role in India’s future energy landscape.

The basin’s strategic location and geological potential make it attractive for both domestic and international exploration companies. With supportive policies and improved data availability, the government hopes to unlock significant oil and gas discoveries that can contribute meaningfully to domestic production over the next decade.

Refining Capacity Expansion to 300 MMTPA

India is already one of the world’s leading refining hubs, but the government plans to take this further by increasing refining capacity from 260 MMTPA to 300 MMTPA by 2030. This expansion is central to the India refining capacity expansion news and is aimed at meeting growing domestic demand while strengthening India’s position in global petroleum product exports.

Higher refining capacity will allow India to process more crude oil domestically, reduce imports of refined products and create opportunities for value-added exports. It also supports the development of downstream industries such as petrochemicals, which are essential for manufacturing, packaging and infrastructure.

LNG Infrastructure and Natural Gas Growth

Natural gas is seen as a transition fuel in India’s move towards a cleaner energy mix. The investment drive includes the development of LNG import terminals, expansion of pipelines and a rapid rollout of city gas distribution networks across urban and semi-urban areas.

The LNG infrastructure India news reflects the government’s intent to increase the share of natural gas in the country’s energy basket. Expanding access to gas supports cleaner cooking fuel adoption, industrial efficiency and reduced emissions compared to traditional fossil fuels.

City Gas Network Expansion

The expansion of the city gas network will bring piped natural gas to millions of households and businesses. This initiative supports affordability, convenience and environmental sustainability while creating new demand for gas across sectors such as transport, small industries and commercial establishments.

As gas consumption rises, it will also strengthen the business case for upstream investments, creating a virtuous cycle of production, infrastructure development and consumption growth.

Boosting Domestic LNG Transportation and Shipbuilding

A notable element of the investment plan is the development of domestic shipbuilding capacity for LNG transportation. Through a Rs. 70,000 crore programme, India aims to reduce dependence on foreign vessels and strengthen its maritime energy logistics.

This move supports the India energy investment target by creating jobs, enhancing technological capabilities and improving supply chain resilience. It also aligns with broader national initiatives such as Make in India and Atmanirbhar Bharat.

Policy Reforms to Attract Global Investors

To support these ambitious goals, the government is implementing reforms in exploration and production policies. These reforms focus on transparency, ease of doing business and predictable regulatory frameworks. By addressing long-standing investor concerns, India is positioning itself as an attractive destination for long-term energy investments.

The Narendra Modi energy announcement at India Energy Week 2026 reinforces the message that India welcomes global participation in building its energy future.

Economic and Strategic Impact

The India oil and gas investment news has far-reaching implications for the economy. Large-scale investments will generate employment, boost allied industries such as steel, cement and engineering services, and contribute to GDP growth. Stronger domestic energy production also improves India’s trade balance by reducing import bills.

Strategically, enhanced energy self-reliance strengthens India’s global standing and reduces vulnerability to external shocks. It allows the country to pursue growth with greater confidence and stability.

Aligning Growth with Sustainability

While oil and gas remain critical, the government has reiterated that these investments complement India’s broader clean energy transition. By improving efficiency, reducing emissions intensity and supporting gas as a cleaner fuel, the strategy balances growth with sustainability.

The long-term vision is to ensure that India’s energy needs are met in a secure, affordable and environmentally responsible manner.

India as a Global Energy Destination by 2030

By combining hydrocarbon exploration, refining expansion, LNG infrastructure development and policy reforms, India is laying the foundation to emerge as a global energy and refining destination. The scale and ambition of the US$ 100 billion investment target reflect confidence in India’s market size, policy direction and growth potential.

As highlighted in the top energy sector news India, the coming years will be crucial in translating these announcements into on-ground execution. If successfully implemented, this strategy could redefine India’s role in the global energy ecosystem by 2030.

In conclusion, India’s plan to attract US$ 100 billion in oil and gas investments marks a transformative step in securing its energy future. Through focused reforms, infrastructure expansion and investor engagement, the country is preparing to meet rising demand while strengthening economic resilience and global competitiveness.

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