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Hydrocarbon Efficiency & New Energy 165

To initiate this effort, DGH is initiating natural included the South Andaman area, the Dharwar
hydrogen exploration in India by introducing Craton, the Cuddapah and Bhima Basins, the
provisions for hydrogen gas sampling during Singhbhum Shear Zone, Northeast and Central
exploratory drilling and integrating hydrogen India, Sohna, Ladakh, and the Nagaland-Manipur
detection into on-site gas chromatography ophiolites and geothermal systems.
systems, particularly in ultramafic, serpentinized,
and volcanic formations where hydrogen is The Directorate General of Hydrocarbons (DGH)
likely present. To further support these activities, is driving this by facilitating data support and
a joint data integration platform involving aligning natural hydrogen initiatives with
E&P operators and key stakeholders may be existing oil and gas exploration frameworks.
established to facilitate systematic data sharing These efforts are expected to significantly
and analysis of natural hydrogen systems. accelerate the growth of a robust natural
Additionally, on a voluntary basis, E&P operators hydrogen sector, thereby strengthening India’s
are encouraged to incorporate natural hydrogen clean energy infrastructure, and advancing its
exploration into upcoming geoscientific studies, long-term sustainability goals.
such as gradiometric, seismic, geospatial, and 9.5.4 Geothermal Data Integration
geochemical surveys, targeting promising
geological settings like Precambrian cratons, The Directorate General of Hydrocarbons (DGH),
ultramafic rocks, and ophiolitic belts to accelerate through its Hydrocarbon Efficiency & New Energy
the identification of hydrogen-rich areas in India. (HENE) Department, is advancing geothermal
energy as a strategic decarbonization lever
within upstream operations.
• Contribution to National Policy and
Regulatory Framework

HENE has provided critical inputs to the
Nodal Agency Support Ministry of New and Renewable Energy
for Natural in Industry (MNRE) for the Draft Geothermal Policy.
Hydrogen Establishment Contributions include requirement of basin-
specific resource mapping, and strategies for
the integration of geothermal development
Policy Support Capacity within existing oil and gas operations.
& Investment Building & • Support for Composite Energy Licensing
Promotions technology
To promote integrated energy exploration,
development HENE will support the framework of the
Composite Energy Licensing Framework.
This framework enables joint exploration of
oil, gas, geothermal, and natural hydrogen
resources within a single block, accelerating
An International Conference on Exploring the the upstream sector’s transition to integrated
energy systems.
Potential of Natural Hydrogen: A Sustainable
Energy Frontier was organized by the Indian 9.5.5 Achievements and Institutional
Institute of Petroleum and Energy (IIPE), Leadership (2024-2025)
Visakhapatnam. The discussions at the
conference also reinforced the Directorate The Hydrocarbon Efficiency and New Energy
General of Hydrocarbons (DGH)’s initiative to (HENE) department within DGH formalized its
advance natural hydrogen exploration in India strategic role and delivered concrete outcomes:
by utilizing the country’s vast and geologically
diverse landscape, which offers significant • Policy and Regulation
potential for natural hydrogen generation and Contributed to the draft amendments of the
accelerated exploration efforts. PNG Rules and the National Geothermal Policy,
Experts highlighted the considerable potential promoting holistic energy integration. aligned
for natural hydrogen within India’s diverse with the Oilfield Regulation and Development
geological framework. Key regions identified