India Yet To Clear 52 Oil, Gas Blocks

India has yet to give clearance for the 52 oil and gas blocks the country auctioned in various rounds since 1999 to domestic and overseas energy explorers.

"Presently, 52 blocks awarded under various rounds of New Exploration Licensing Policy bidding are pending clearance by different organizations such as the Ministry of Defence, Ministry of Environment and Forests, Ministry of External Affairs and state governments," Oil Minister Jaipal Reddy said, Dow Jones has reported.

Of the 52 blocks awaiting clearances, 22 are operated by Oil & Natural Gas Corp., 15 by Reliance Industries Ltd., five by BHP Billiton Ltd., three by Cairn Energy PLC, two by Santos Ltd.  and one each by BG Group PLC, BP and ENI S.p.A.

The country has till date auctioned 249 blocks. Discoveries have been made in only 36 blocks.