Oilfield exploration bidding deadline extended to December 30

The central government has extended the bid submission deadline for the eighth oilfield exploration licensing round from September 6, 2022 to December 30, 2022. The government had launched the eighth round un­der the Open Acreage Licensing Policy on July 7, 2022 and is hoping to attract more bidders by stretching the timelines. Ten oil and gas blocks have been offered in the eighth round. In the first seven rounds, 134 blocks have been awarded.