World Energy Outlook 2007

Figure 17.1: Oil Discoveries in India Since 1997
million barrels
800
700
600
500
400
300
200
100
14
12
10
8
6
4
2
number
0
1997 1998 1999 2000 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006
0
Reserves
Number of fields (right axis)
Sources: IHS Energy databases; IEA estimates.
Oil Production 2
Oil production in India amounted to 793 thousand barrels per day in
2006, of which 687 kb/d were crude oil and 106 kb/d natural gas liquids
(NGLs). About three-quarters of total production came from nine
offshore fields, with 85 onshore fields making up the rest (Table 17.2).
A few major fields discovered in the 1970s and 1980s account for the
bulk of India's oil output. The top five producing fields contribute half
(Table 17.3). Most producing fields are now in decline, including the nine
offshore fields which account for 60% of total production. We estimate
that 80% of current production comes from fields which have passed their
peak. Despite some significant discoveries since the New Exploration
Licensing Policy (NELP) has been implemented and the fact that
obviously only a portion of the sedimentary basins has been actively
explored, India can be regarded as a mature oil-producing country.
Reforms undertaken by the Indian authorities since the beginning of the
1990s, one of which is the NELP, have had a positive impact on domestic
production by allowing the private sector partly to compensate for the
declining contribution of the national companies.
In the Reference Scenario, India's total oil output is projected to increase from
793 kb/d in 2006 to 870 kb/d in 2010 and then fall back to about 520 kb/d
in 2030. Crude production is projected to peak at around 750 kb/d in 2010
17
2. Crude oil, natural gas liquids (NGLs) and condensates.
Chapter 17 - Reference Scenario Supply Projections 491