Cairn Oil & Gas, a unit of Vedanta Ltd, has announced a strategic partnership with Norwegian geophysical services firm Electromagnetic Geoservices (EMGS) to deploy cutting-edge technology for its deepwater exploration campaign in the Krishna-Godavari (KG) basin off India’s east coast.

As part of the collaboration, EMGS is conducting a 3D Controlled Source Electromagnetic (CSEM) survey in the KGDWHP-2017/1 block, marking one of the first applications of this advanced technique in Indian waters. CSEM helps detect hydrocarbons by mapping subsurface resistivity, significantly improving exploration accuracy.

EMGS’s survey vessel, the Atlantic Guardian, is currently acquiring data using the firm’s advanced “Deep Blue” source system. The data acquisition will span several weeks, followed by in-depth processing to generate detailed subsurface resistivity models. These models will be integrated with re-processed 3D seismic data to sharpen geological interpretations and cut down exploration risk.

“Through our partnership with EMGS, we will fast-track development of the deepwater block in line with our vision to contribute 50% of India’s oil and gas production,” said Hitesh Vaid, CFO of Cairn Oil & Gas.

The tie-up follows Cairn’s earlier March 2025 alliance with a global technology firm to accelerate subsea infrastructure delivery. With this latest move, Cairn aims to unlock deepwater potential and strengthen India’s domestic hydrocarbon supply.