Government extends OALP X and XI bidding deadlines to December 10

The government has extended the deadline for submitting bids for deep-sea oil and gas exploration blocks under the <b>10th and 11th Open Acreage Licensing Policy</b> rounds to <b>December 10, 2026</b>. Prospective investors now have additional time to submit offers for deep-water and ultra-deepwater acreage, marking the seventh postponement for OALP-X and the third for OALP-XI. While the Directorate General of Hydrocarbons did not specify reasons for the delay, industry sources indicate the move may connect to the newly announced <b>₹84,084-crore Samundra Manthan National Offshore Exploration Scheme</b>. This scheme provides government support of up to 50 percent for drilling costs, capped at ₹675 crore per well. The extension allows companies extra time to evaluate the revised financial support framework alongside geological prospects and investment requirements.