Released by the Directorate General of Hydrocarbons (DGH) on Tuesday, the draft rules replace the outdated Petroleum Concession Rules, 1949 and Petroleum and Natural Gas Rules, 1959. The overhaul comes just months after Parliament amended the Oilfields (Regulation and Development) Act, 1948, and is timed to precede the launch of India’s biggest exploration bidding exercise — OALP Round X.
In a post on X, Petroleum Minister Hardeep Singh Puri said, “A series of pathbreaking policy reforms are being implemented to promote exploration & production. These changes to increase the ease of doing business for our E&P operators are being made after stakeholder consultation at every level.”