India is now the third largest energy consumer in the world, and its demand continues to grow exponentially as the country becomes increasingly industrialized and urbanized. Securing a stable, affordable, and sustainable energy supply is a top priority for both policymakers and industry leaders, as is India’s energy transition and its commitments under the Paris Agreement. Walking this tightrope – between economic growth and environmental sustainability – requires expertise, innovation, and global collaboration.
India Energy Week 2025: A Global Energy Forum
Stepping seamlessly into this dynamic landscape is India Energy Week. held at Yashobhoomi, New Delhi, from February 11th to 14th, this year’s event exceeded all expectations. Hon’ble Minister of Petroleum and Natural Gas, Hardeep Singh Puri, highlighted the event’s record-breaking participation, technical submissions, and expanding focus beyond traditional hydrocarbons to green energy, biofuels, and emerging decarbonization technologies.
With over 70,000 energy professionals, 700+ exhibitors, and delegates from 120 countries, IEW 2025 is now the second-largest energy event in the world. Unlike other forums, it stood out for facilitating real-world business transactions, technological showcases, and policy advancements, reinforcing India’s commitment to clean energy solutions.
A Vision for Bharat: Prime Minister Modi’s Address
Hon’ble Prime Minister of India, Shri Narendra Modi set the stage with his opening remarks. “Every expert in the world today is saying that the 21st century belongs to Bharat. Bharat is driving not just its own growth but the growth of the world as well, and our energy sector plays a significant role in this. Bharat’s energy ambitions stand on five pillars: We have resources that we are harnessing. Second, we are encouraging our brilliant minds to innovate. Third, we possess economic strength and political stability. Fourth, Bharat’s strategic geography makes energy trade more attractive and easier. And fifth, Bharat is committed to global sustainability. These factors are opening up new opportunities in Bharat’s energy sector.”
With a decade of major energy advancements behind it, India is now poised for another wave of innovation, investment, and sustainable energy growth.
Strategic Agreements: Powering India’s Energy Security
Beyond innovation, IEW 2025 served as a stage for high-level diplomacy and strategic agreements, reinforcing India’s energy security and global partnerships. Several landmark Memorandums of Understanding (MoUs) were signed, marking significant advancements in energy trade, technological innovation, and resource optimization.
Among the most notable agreements at India Energy Week 2025 was the tripartite Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between Oil and Natural Gas Corporation (ONGC), the State Oil Company of Azerbaijan Republic (SOCAR), and Mangalore Refinery & Petrochemicals Limited (MRPL). Designed to enhance energy cooperation, this agreement facilitates the mutual supply and trade of crude oil, liquefied natural gas (LNG), and petroleum products, strengthening India’s energy security and diversifying its resource base. It establishes a structured platform for collaboration, enabling strategic discussions, information exchange, and the exploration of new energy trade opportunities.
Beyond optimizing supply chain strategies, the partnership is expected to drive commercial sustainability, operational efficiency, and long-term economic benefits. Additionally, this MoU plays a crucial role in deepening India-Azerbaijan energy relations, expanding India’s footprint in global energy markets, and fostering technology and knowledge exchange – further reinforcing India’s position as a key player in the evolving global energy landscape.
Further strengthening India’s domestic hydrocarbon production, ONGC and BP (British Petroleum) signed a strategic agreement under which BP will serve as the Technical Services Provider (TSP) for the Mumbai High field – India’s largest and most prolific offshore oil field. While ONGC retains full ownership and operational control, BP’s role is to conduct a comprehensive performance review, enhance reservoir management strategies, and deploy advanced recovery technologies to stabilize and boost oil and gas output.
This partnership comes at a critical time, as Mumbai High’s production has declined from a peak of 471,000 barrels of oil per day (bopd) in 1985 to approximately 144,000 bopd in 2024. BP’s intervention aims to increase production, improving India’s energy self-sufficiency.
On the international front, ONGC Videsh Ltd., the overseas investment arm of ONGC, and Petrobras (Petróleo Brasileiro S.A.), Brazil’s state-controlled oil major, signed a strategic MoU on February 12, 2025, during India Energy Week. This agreement marks a significant step toward expanding collaboration in upstream oil and gas projects across Brazil, India, and other potential markets.
The partnership is designed to enhance cooperation in exploration and production (E&P) activities, leveraging each company’s technical expertise and market strengths. The MoU also extends beyond traditional hydrocarbons, focusing on oil and gas trading, low-carbon solutions, and digital transformation – key components in the evolving global energy landscape. With Petrobras recognized as a leader in deepwater oil production, this collaboration grants ONGC Videsh access to cutting-edge technologies that can optimise offshore exploration and improve operational efficiencies.
Beyond business and technology synergies, this MoU strengthens India-Brazil energy relations, reinforcing economic ties and international cooperation in the energy sector. It also aligns with India’s Hydrocarbon Exploration and Licensing Policy (HELP) and Open Acreage Licensing Policy (OALP), supporting the Indian government’s drive to accelerate hydrocarbon exploration and production.
ONGC: A Pillar of India’s Energy Security and Transition
As the Principal Partner of India Energy Week 2025, ONGC’s commitment to India’s energy future was evident in its leadership, strategic collaborations, and investment in transformative solutions. By driving discussions, forming key alliances, and championing technological advancements, ONGC reinforced its central role in shaping India’s energy landscape.
At the Collaboration Stage, ONGC’s Chairman & CEO, Arun Kumar Singh, discussed economic growth, profitability, and sustainability in Evolving Pragmatic, Sustainable and Profitable New Global Energy Systems. At the Energy Resilience Stage, Rajarshi Gupta, MD & CEO of ONGC Videsh Ltd., explored how digital automation, carbon capture, and AI-driven efficiencies can strengthen upstream oil and gas operations, while Sushma Rawat, Director of Exploration at ONGC, highlighted investment incentives and policy reforms essential for accelerating exploration growth in emerging markets.
Fueling India’s Energy Future-Readiness
Whether through enhancing domestic oil and gas output, securing international trade agreements, or investing in cleaner energy solutions, ONGC remains at the forefront of India’s mission to ensure energy security while accelerating sustainability efforts. The landmark MoUs signed during India Energy Week underscore ONGC’s strategic vision for a more integrated and diversified energy sector.
Beyond hydrocarbons, ONGC is actively investing in renewable energy, carbon management, and digital transformation. The company is leading initiatives in offshore wind energy, biofuels, and green hydrogen, while deploying AI-driven efficiencies and advanced recovery technologies to enhance operational sustainability.
As the world transitions toward cleaner, smarter energy systems, India and ONGC stand at the helm of this transformation. Through strategic foresight, innovation, and collaboration, India and ONGC aren’t just adapting to the future – they are helping shape it.
