Andaman Energy Exploration, Aim and Significance

Explore India’s burgeoning Andaman Energy Exploration in the Andaman Sea, where major offshore drilling efforts by ONGC and Oil India—bolstered by new policies—could yield “Guyana-sized” oil reserves, reshaping national energy security and economic prospects.

Context: India is actively exploring vast offshore areas near the Andaman Islands, with early indicators showing potential for large-scale oil and gas reserves.

About Andaman Energy Exploration

Andaman Basin is a new offshore energy hotspot.
ONGC and Oil India Ltd are leading exploration under the Open Acreage Licensing Policy (OALP).
Seismic surveys and drilling have shown strong signs of oil and gas reserves.
Possible presence of multi-billion-barrel oil fields, similar to those in Guyana.
The basin has complex geology, making it a high-risk, high-reward exploration zone.
Aims to reduce India’s crude oil imports and boost energy self-sufficiency.
Could contribute to India’s vision of becoming a $20 trillion economy.
May spur economic growth, job creation, and development in Andaman & Nicobar Islands.

Andaman and Nicobar

About Andaman & Nicobar Islands
Feature	Description
Location	Situated in: Bay of Bengal Part of: Union Territory of Andaman & Nicobar Islands, India Coordinates: Between 6°N and 14°N latitude, and 92°E and 94°E longitude Distance from Mainland India (Chennai): ~1,200 km
Capital	Port Blair (located in South Andaman)
Major Islands	North Andaman, Middle Andaman, South Andaman, Little Andaman
Major Channel	Ten Degree Channel separates the Andaman Islands from the Nicobar Islands
Important Straits Nearby	Coco Strait (between North Andaman and Coco Islands of Myanmar)
Highest Point	Saddle Peak (North Andaman) – 732 m
Soil Type	Lateritic soil, alluvium in valleys
Tectonic Zone	Part of the Alpine-Himalayan seismic belt; prone to earthquakes and tsunamis
Protected Areas	Mahatma Gandhi Marine National Park, Mount Harriet National Park.
Geological Origin	The islands are submerged extensions of the Arakan Yoma Range of Myanmar. They are of oceanic and volcanic origin, consisting of sandstone, limestone, and shale. Barren Island (east of Middle Andaman) is India’s only active volcano.