India has two major offshore oil fields as of 2026: Mumbai High and the Panna-Mukta-Tapti (PMT) fields, both operated primarily by ONGC.
How many offshore oil fields are there in India?
India operates two primary offshore oil fields as of 2026: Mumbai High and the Panna-Mukta-Tapti (PMT) fields.
You'll find these fields in the Arabian Sea, roughly 160 km west of Mumbai. Mumbai High alone churns out about 14% of India’s total crude. The PMT fields, discovered back in the 1980s, add serious volume to offshore production. Sure, smaller discoveries and satellite fields exist, but none reach major field status.
Which areas are offshore fields of India?
The offshore oil fields of India are primarily located in the Arabian Sea, offshore from the coasts of Maharashtra and Gujarat.
Mumbai High sits about 161 km northwest of Mumbai. Meanwhile, the Panna-Mukta-Tapti fields stretch northwest of Mumbai in the Gulf of Khambhat. ONGC reports these spots supply over 80% of India’s offshore crude. Drilling happens from offshore platforms tied to onshore processing plants.
Which is the first offshore oil field in India?
India’s first offshore oil discovery occurred in 1974 at Mumbai High, struck by the drillship Sagar Samrat.
Technically, the first exploratory well in the Gulf of Cambay kicked off in 1970, but commercial production didn’t start until 1976. That breakthrough moment put India on the offshore oil map. Back then, they called it “Bombay High”—a name that stuck even after the city’s name changed.
Which is the most productive offshore oil field in India?
Mumbai High is India’s most productive offshore oil field, contributing about 14% of the country’s total crude oil output as of 2026.
This giant sits 176 km northwest of Mumbai and pumps around 200,000 barrels daily. That’s nearly 38% of India’s domestic oil production. ONGC keeps investing in enhanced recovery methods to keep those numbers steady.
Which is the largest oil field in India?
Mumbai High is the largest oil field in India by reserves and production, with estimated in-place reserves exceeding 4 billion barrels.
It dwarfs onshore fields like Rajasthan’s Barmer Basin. Since 1976, this field has been pumping out crude and remains vital for India’s energy independence. The Press Information Bureau notes it’s produced over 1 billion tonnes since day one.
What is the world’s largest offshore oil field?
The Safaniya oil field, operated by Saudi Aramco, is the world’s largest offshore oil field as of 2026.
Located in the Persian Gulf, it holds a mind-boggling 37 billion barrels of oil. Mexico’s Cantarell field used to rank up there but has faded in output. Safaniya cranks out over 500,000 barrels daily—making it a cornerstone of global supply.
Which state is known as the oil repository in India?
Gujarat holds the largest share of crude oil and natural gas reserves in India as of 2026.
| Region | Crude Oil Reserves (million metric tonnes) | Natural Gas Reserves (BCM) |
|---|
| Gujarat | 118.61 | 62.28 |
| Rajasthan | 24.55 | 34.86 |
| Assam | 5.08 | 1.54 |
| Andhra Pradesh | 4.53 | 0.20 |
Data from the Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas shows Gujarat leading the pack. Its mature fields like Ankleshwar and Cambay keep India’s energy mix flowing.
Why Mumbai High is famous?
Mumbai High is famous as India’s largest and most productive offshore oil field, supplying 14% of the country’s crude oil needs.
It runs 38 offshore platforms linked by subsea pipelines to shore. Since 1976, this field has pumped nonstop and stands as a symbol of India’s energy self-sufficiency. Its success pushed ONGC to expand its offshore game.
Which state has no oil refinery in India?
As of 2026, states like Sikkim, Mizoram, Arunachal Pradesh, and Nagaland have no oil refineries.
These states rely on fuel trucked in from neighboring regions. The Indian Oil Corporation lists 23 refineries across India—but none in the northeast hill states or smaller union territories.
Who is called black gold?
Crude oil is commonly referred to as "Black Gold" due to its dark color and high economic value.
The nickname captures oil’s scarcity, energy punch, and economic muscle. Fresh from the ground, it’s that inky black liquid. People have used this phrase since the 1800s.
What is the full form of oil?
OIL stands for Oil India Limited, a government-owned corporation in India.
Oil India Limited drills both onshore and offshore fields, including Assam’s Duliajan and Jorhat. It’s publicly traded and keeps the domestic energy sector humming.
Which is the oldest oil refinery in India?
The Digboi Refinery, commissioned on December 11, 1901, is India’s oldest operating refinery.
That’s over 120 years of continuous service. Located in Assam, it started processing crude from nearby wells. Now run by Indian Oil Corporation, it’s still in business today.
Which is the newest oil field of India?
The Ashoknagar Oil Field in Tamil Nadu began production on December 20, 2020, making it India’s newest operating oil field as of 2026.
ONGC developed this field in the Karaikal offshore block. Early output was modest, but new drilling has boosted production steadily.
Which state is the largest producer of oil in India?
Assam is the largest producer of crude oil among Indian states, accounting for about 12.1% of domestic output as of 2026.
Rajasthan follows at 23.7%, then Gujarat at 12.5%. Assam’s legacy fields—Digboi and Lakwa—have pumped since the late 1800s. The state remains a backbone of India’s energy supply.
Where is all oil used?
Crude oil is refined and used primarily for fuel (gasoline, diesel), plastics, synthetic materials, fertilizers, and petrochemicals.
- Fuel: Runs cars, planes, ships, and generators—about 70% of refined products end up as fuel.
- Plastics: Shows up in packaging, electronics, and building materials.
- Toiletries and cosmetics: Petroleum derivatives like mineral oil and paraffin are everywhere.
- Synthetic rubber and fibers: Found in clothes, tires, and medical gear.
The International Energy Agency reports global oil demand tops 100 million barrels daily. India alone guzzles over 5 million barrels each day as of 2026.
