Pradhan also termed the response from the DSF round as “enthusiastic”, arguing that it has attracted several new players to India’s upstream sector.

A source from India’s Directorate General of Hydrocarbons (DGH) confirmed that bids for the DSF round are under evaluation and acreage is likely to be awarded in a month’s time.

“DGH is evaluating the DSF bids and the Indian government is hoping to award those oil and gas fields by the end of this year, following a clearance from the Cabinet,” he said.

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