Oil India reports natural gas discovery in Andaman offshore block

Oil India Limited (OIL) reported the occurrence of natural gas in its second exploratory well, Vijayapuram-2 (Loc. OAEA), located in the Offshore Andaman Block AN-OSHP-2018/1. This discovery was made under the Open Acreage Licensing Policy (OALP). Preliminary analysis of gas samples confirmed the presence of natural gas, with further isotope studies underway to determine its genesis.

According to initial assessments, this occurrence is a key indicator of a potential hydrocarbon source, migration pathway, or accumulation, which will inform future exploration and drilling strategies. OIL plans additional testing of higher-up prospects to further evaluate the gas occurrence.

This marks the first reported hydrocarbon occurrence during the ongoing exploration campaign in the Andaman Shallow Offshore Block, making it a notable development for the company and its stakeholders. The announcement was made on September 26, 2025, from Noida.