India adds third acreage interest ‘window’

Oil and gas operators seeking exploration and development licenses in India will have three opportunities to submit “expressions of interest (EOIs)” per year instead of two under changes to the government’s Open Access Licensing Policy.

Windows for EOI submissions now will be Apr. 1-July 31, Aug. 1-Nov. 30, and Dec. 1-Mar. 31.

The Directorate General of Hydrocarbons auctions revenue-sharing licenses to areas identified by EOIs meeting its criteria.

Under changes adopted last February, bidding for undeveloped and unexplored basins is based on work programs. Bidding includes revenue share for productive basins.

The current window for EOIs, which opened May 16, has been combined with the new Aug. 1-Nov. 30 window.