The Future of Upstream Energy

Q1. Could you start by giving us a brief overview of your professional background, particularly focusing on your expertise in the industry?

I am a Mechanical Engineer by profession, and after graduation, I joined Oil and Natural Gas Corporation Limited (ONGC) in Assam in the year 1987. After working in Assam oil and gas fields for a couple of years, I moved to ONGC's largest asset, the Mumbai Offshore Fields. I enriched my experience by working offshore for several years before joining the ONGC Corporate Office in Delhi. In between, I was posted on deputation to the Directorate General of Hydrocarbons (DGH), which is a technical body under the Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas (MoPNG). Here, I stayed for several years and held important positions, including Chief Technical Officer and Executive Director (Strategy and Planning).
I could gather good ideas on policies and regulations for the upstream sector, i.e., oil and gas exploration and production activities, contracts, and licensing, while working at DGH with the Ministry. Additionally, I learned about the E&P operations of many Private and multinational companies operating in India.
In 2024, I superannuated from ONGC as Executive Director after completing about 37 years of service. Thereafter,…