Govt extends oil block bid deadline to January 31

The government has once again extended the deadline for submission of bids in the eighth exploration licensing round.

The deadline has been extended from December 30 to January 31, the Directorate General of Hydrocarbons (DGH) said on its website without giving any reason.

The government launched the eighth bidding round under the open acreage licensing policy (OALP) on July 7, with the original bid submission deadline of September 6.


Limited interest from investors has often persuaded the DGH to extend timelines in this as well as previous rounds.

In the eighth round, ten oil and gas blocks have been offered. In the first seven rounds, 134 blocks have been awarded.