Cairn Oil & Gas has initiated a bidding process to secure up to 12 high-quality drilling rigs to support a major, multi-basin exploration and development campaign in India. The company plans to deploy 10 onshore and two offshore rigs under contracts lasting two to three years.

Strategic Investment and Campaign Objectives

This rig chartering effort is a key component of Cairn's previously announced plan to invest up to $5 billion over three years. The overarching goal of the large-scale exploration campaign is to unlock hydrocarbons from Indian sedimentary basins, increase domestic production to meet growing energy demand, and reduce the country's reliance on imports. The growth projects will involve extensive drilling across conventional oilfields, tight oil assets, and gas reservoirs.

Partnership and Operational Scope

Cairn is seeking to partner with leading global rig contractors with proven expertise in safe, efficient, and high-performance operations. The selected contractor will be responsible for complete rig operations, including transportation, storage, and upkeep. Specific details on rig specifications or target wells were not disclosed in the initial expression of interest.

Geographic Focus of Exploration Activities

The exploration campaign encompasses multiple regions:

• Onshore: Activities are planned in Rajasthan and North East India.
• Offshore West Coast: The company will drill exploratory wells in its Ambe and Dwarka offshore blocks and has strengthened its portfolio with three shallow-water blocks acquired in the OALP-9 bid round.
• Offshore East Coast: An exploration campaign is set to launch next year, with drilling scheduled to begin in 2026 in the deepwater Block KG-DWHP-2017/1 in the Krishna Godavari basin, which was secured in 2019.

Portfolio and Investment Coverage

The $5 billion investment is comprehensive, targeting both conventional and unconventional hydrocarbons across diverse geographies, including deep and shallow waters off India's east and west coasts, as well as the onshore areas of Rajasthan and North East India.