DGH overhauls oilfield approval processes

The Directorate General of Hydrocarbons has modified the procedures related to oil and gas exploration and production (E&P) activities in India. It has limited the requirement of statutory approvals to only extension of contracts, sale of stake and annual accounts, while permitting self-certification and deemed approval for other factors. In the earlier nine auctions of blocks, which were done in accordance with the New Exploration Licensing Policy (NELP) and pre-NELP regulations, an E&P company had to get approvals for 37 processes and procedures. Now, the number has been reduced to 18 processes and procedures. The new regulations also require that all document submissions be done online as per the given templates.