Govt extends for third time bids to explore 11 oil and gas blocks

The government has awarded 94 blocks in four rounds for exploration in the last two-and-a-half years.

The government has extended the last date to bid for 11 oil and gas blocks to June 10 as it extended till May 3 a lockdown of the country to contain the coronavirus.

The fifth bid round under Open Acreage Licensing Policy (OALP) opened in January and it was to first close on March 18. However, the bid date was first extended to April 16 and then late last month, it was extended again but no closing deadline was given.

"The bid submission date for India OALP Bid Round-V, offering 11 blocks for exploration and development, is extended to June 10, 2020,"