New Delhi: India Energy Week 2025 (IEW 2025) concluded on a high note, reinforcing India's position as a global leader in the energy sector. The event saw the announcement of the largest-ever exploration bid round, a clear roadmap for green energy transition, and strengthened international partnerships.
 

Hardeep Singh Puri, Minister of Petroleum and Natural Gas, highlighted the measurable success of IEW 2025, noting its unprecedented participation, exhibitor numbers, and technical paper submissions. The Minister emphasized that within three years, India Energy Week has established itself as the world's second-largest energy platform, with its fourth edition set to take place in Goa.
 

Puri underscored that IEW 2025 distinguished itself from other global energy forums by facilitating actual business transactions rather than merely serving as a networking platform. He highlighted practical innovations, such as the cost-effective biofuel conversion kit demonstrated at the HPCL stall, enabling biofuel usage in two- and three-wheelers. He also praised the convergence of investors, manufacturers, and consumers, particularly in the display of flex-fuel vehicles.
 

Discussing India-US energy cooperation, Puri noted substantial progress in bilateral relations, particularly in the natural gas sector. He emphasized India's goal of increasing natural gas consumption to 15% of its energy mix, up from the current 6%, and stressed the strategic importance of LNG imports from the United States.
 

Addressing reforms in the Exploration and Production (E&P) sector, Puri detailed the Open Acreage Licensing Program (OALP) Round X, covering approximately 200,000 square kilometers. He noted that systematic regulatory reforms, including a transition from production-sharing to revenue-sharing models, have driven enhanced industry interest. The Minister also announced that a new legislative framework, developed through extensive consultations, is set to be presented in the Lok Sabha. Industry collaborations, such as ONGC’s partnerships with BP and Reliance in earlier bidding rounds, were highlighted as a testament to the sector’s dynamism.
 

Puri emphasized the significance of recently passed amendments ensuring policy predictability, particularly regarding windfall tax implementation. He noted that removing discretionary elements in policy decisions would lead to greater transparency in the energy sector.
 

On the global energy scenario, Puri observed that the US administration’s push for increased oil supply has created favorable conditions in global markets. He pointed to new oil sources emerging in Brazil, Argentina, Suriname, Canada, the US, and Guyana as advantageous for major consuming nations like India. He also reaffirmed India’s commitment to international investments in Oil & Gas assets across Brazil, Venezuela, Russia, and Mozambique.
 

Puri described India’s biofuel program as a remarkable success story, citing the country’s current ethanol blending capacity of 1,700 crore liters and highlighting its potential beyond the 20% blending target. He also expressed optimism about green hydrogen, confirming that India is on track to achieve its 5 MMT annual production target by 2030. Additionally, he underscored the development of sustainable aviation fuel as a priority for the future.
 

Pankaj Jain, Secretary of the Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas, detailed the business agreements signed during IEW 2025. These included supply arrangements for crude, LNG, and LPG across geographies, technology partnerships for digital refinery solutions, and new exploration service collaborations.
 

Jain also emphasized the unprecedented scale of OALP Round X and the need for global expertise to unlock India’s hydrocarbon potential. He discussed the possible use of the Oil Industry Development Fund for innovative financing in deep-water exploration projects.
 

The prestigious Avinya’25 – Energy Startup Challenge awards, a flagship initiative of the Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas, were presented to startups with pioneering energy solutions. UrjanovaC Pvt Ltd won for its synthetic catalyst technology enabling scalable and cost-competitive CO₂ capture and conversion. Breathe ESG Private Limited secured the first runner-up position for its SaaS platform automating ESG reporting and decarbonization strategies. AgriVijay, the second runner-up, introduced India’s first curated marketplace for renewable energy solutions for farmers and rural households. Apeiro Energy, the third runner-up, developed hybrid microgrids integrating small wind turbines with solar panels. UGreen Technology, the fourth runner-up, designed a molecular-engineering approach enhancing CO₂ reactivity for efficient carbon capture.
 

Additionally, the Ministry introduced Vasudha – Oil and Gas Startup Challenge, a competition for overseas startups revolutionizing the upstream oil and gas sector. Out of 17 entries from 13 countries, Latin Energy Partners Inc., Paraguay, won for its advancements in oil and gas exploration. Ultrasound Process Consultation LLC, USA, was named runner-up for its AI-driven production management and ESG compliance solutions.
 

Promoting research and technological innovation, a hackathon was held among seven premier IITs, focusing on CCUS (Carbon Capture, Utilization, and Storage) and renewable energy. IIT (ISM) Dhanbad secured the winner’s title, while IIT Guwahati emerged as the runner-up.
 

Designed as more than just an industry conference, India Energy Week has rapidly evolved into a global platform shaping the future of energy. The third edition, scheduled for February 11-14, 2025, at Yashobhoomi, New Delhi, is set to be another milestone in advancing the global energy dialogue.

BI Bureau