Regulator asks states to treat oil production as essential service

The directorate-general of hydrocarbons (DGH) of the petroleum ministry has written to major producing states to exempt its production from the ongoing lockdown's ambit, and to instead classify this as an essential service.

Rajasthan, Assam, Andhra Pradesh and Gujarat are all major producing areas. The move will help Oil and Natural Gas Corporation (ONGC), Vedanta, Reliance Industries, Oil India and Hindustan Oil Exploration Company (HOEC).

Industry sources say the governments of Rajasthan and Assam have given clearance but those of Tamil Nadu and Maharashtra are yet to give a final nod for movement of oil company staff and material. The DGH letter