New Delhi
Petroleum and Natural Gas Minister Hardeep Singh Puri said he had an excellent interaction with BP CEO Murray Auchincloss, who is part of the delegation accompanying UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer during his two-day visit to India. Starmer is leading over 100 British business, academic, and cultural leaders as both countries recently signed a Free Trade Agreement (FTA).
Puri shared on X that he held an online meeting with Auchincloss and BP India head Kartik Dubey, noting BP’s long association with India’s energy sector. The company is exploring new opportunities under the OALP Round-10 and remains a key partner in India’s growing energy landscape.
The minister said Indian public sector companies and BP are working together on several projects, including rejuvenating the Mumbai High oil field and expanding in retail, natural gas, and compressed biogas. These areas, Puri added, form an essential part of India’s drive for energy security under Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s leadership.
BP’s Energy Outlook report forecasts India’s oil demand will rise faster than any other nation through 2050, supported by rapid economic growth. India’s share in the global energy market is projected to grow from 7 per cent to over 12 per cent by then.
Puri also highlighted India’s push toward clean energy, announcing that the country’s “Hydrogen Age” has begun. India aims to produce 5 million metric tonnes of green hydrogen by 2030 — 10 per cent of the global total. As green hydrogen costs fall below $3 per kg, India expects to scale production, reduce imports, and build a reliable hydrogen hub for a sustainable future.
