CBM licensing round draws few bidders

New Delhi: Seven of the 13 blocks drew no bids, four attracted a single bidder each, and only two saw two bids apiece in the latest coal bed methane (CBM) licensing round, according to the Directorate General of Hydrocarbons (DGH).

Just three companies-Reliance Industries, Essar Oil and Gas Exploration and Production, and Oil India-participated in the Special CBM Bid Round 2026, despite the offer of more liberal terms aimed at attracting explorers. Reliance and Essar submitted three bids each, while Oil India placed two.

Only two blocks will see competitive bidding: Essar will face Reliance in one, and Oil India in another. Reliance is the sole bidder for two blocks, while Essar and Oil India are the lone bidders for one block each. In the Special CBM Bid Round 2025, results of which were announced alongside this year's auction, one of the three blocks on offer received no bids.