Vedanta Oil and Gas has partnered with Exceed, a Kent-based well management and engineering specialist, to advance exploration in the KG-DWHP-2017/1 deepwater block in the Krishna-Godavari Basin off India’s east coast. The block contains multiple prospects across water depths of about 600 metres to 2,000 metres and has four existing gas discoveries.

The agreement covers integrated exploration and appraisal support, including subsurface evaluation, well planning, drilling readiness and operational management. Vedanta Oil and Gas has planned a multi-well exploration drilling campaign that is expected to begin early next year, following project planning, engineering and operational readiness activities. The company is also evaluating the Vermilion prospect as a separate new play with substantial potential.

Vedanta said the partnership forms part of its strategy to develop India’s offshore hydrocarbon resources and strengthen domestic energy security. The company holds more than 4,600 sq km of offshore deepwater acreage in the KG Basin and has merged and reprocessed 3,800 sq km of multiple 3D seismic datasets to improve subsurface imaging.

The exploration programme also includes an advanced 3D Controlled Source Electromagnetic survey conducted with EMGS to assess the prospects further. Vedanta has partnered with TechnipFMC on an integrated subsea infrastructure framework to support potential future development. The company said the work combines deepwater technology, subsurface studies and international engineering expertise.

Vedanta recently secured two offshore blocks, including the KG/DWDSF/GD10/2025 deepwater block, under the DSF IV bidding round. The move expands its offshore portfolio and supports the Government of India’s Samudra Manthan initiative for deepwater resource development. Operating under the Cairn brand, Vedanta Oil and Gas holds interests in 45 blocks covering more than 47,000 sq km across India, with 1.3 bnboe of gross 2P and 2C resources.