Under HELP, Open Acreage Licensing (OALP) mechanism has been launched which allows the investors to carve out blocks of their choice by assessing E&P data available at NDR & by submitting an Expression of Interest (EoI). EOI can be submitted throughout the year without waiting for a formal bid round from the government. These blocks would be subsequently offered through biannual formal bidding process. OALP would be manifested through National Data Repository which will provide rapid jumpstart to E&P activities by providing seamless access to the country's entire G&G data for interpretation and analysis. The Government had launched OALP Bid Rounds-II and III on 07th January, 2019 and 10th February, 2019 respectively. While Bid Round-II offered 14 Blocks (covering total area of approx. 30,000 sq. km.), the Bid Round-III offered 23 blocks including 5 CBM blocks (covering total area of approx. 32,000 sp.km.) under International Competitive Bidding (ICB) process. The bidding for both these rounds closed on 15th May, 2019. Subsequent to evaluation, a total of 32 blocks were approved for award to 6 companies, The total area awarded today in the 32 blocks is 58,998 sq.km. (Onland- 31,551 sq.km; Offshore- 27,447 sq.km.)

Important Links: Upcoming Rounds: http://online.dghindia.org/oalp