Tripartite MoU for Oil and Gas Exploration to Boost India's Energy Security

Key facts

• The Union government, Assam, and Nagaland signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) to resume oil and gas exploration along the contested boundary of the two states after three decades.
• The MoU specifically targets the Disputed Area Belt (DAB) along the Assam-Nagaland border, covering more than 1,000 sq km.
• The Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) established a coordinated framework to ensure operational continuity, safety, and security of personnel and assets for mineral oil operations.
• Assam accounts for nearly 22% of India's crude oil reserves and around 15% of the country's natural gas reserves, while Nagaland possesses hydrocarbon potential in the Naga-Schuppen Belt of the Assam-Arakan Basin.
• The agreement aims to increase oil production capacity from the Northeast from the current 1,000–1,500 barrels per day by more than tenfold.