New Delhi, Oct 29 (NationPress) Union Minister for Petroleum and Natural Gas Hardeep Singh Puri on Wednesday commended the Oilfields Regulation & Development Amendment Act, 2025 as a transformative reform for Bharat’s energy future, describing it as a crucial step toward achieving energy independence under the guidance of Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

In a message shared on the social media platform X, Puri remarked that the revised Act modernizes a law established in 1948 to better align with the current energy landscape.

He emphasized that the reform establishes a uniform petroleum lease system, broadens the regulatory framework to encompass coal bed methane (CBM), shale gas, tight oil, and gas hydrates, while also permitting the incorporation of solar and hybrid systems in oilfields.

Puri further noted that these adjustments will facilitate quicker approvals, promote infrastructure sharing, and boost investor confidence, representing a decisive shift toward a more efficient and future-ready energy sector.

The minister’s statements come at a pivotal moment when India’s petroleum and energy sector is experiencing rapid evolution, positioning the country as a global leader in the energy domain.

Earlier this week, during the Energy Technology Meet in Hyderabad, Puri underscored that India’s energy trajectory showcases remarkable advancements, driven by innovative policies, cutting-edge technology, and consistent investments in refining, biofuels, and green energy.

The Ministry of Petroleum & Natural Gas reports that India currently contributes between 30–33 percent of the growth in global energy demand and is anticipated to play a critical role in shaping the future of the world's energy.

India’s refining capacity, which presently stands at 258 million metric tonnes per annum (MMTPA), is expected to escalate to 310 MMTPA by 2030, with long-term plans aiming for an expansion to 400–450 MMTPA.

Puri also highlighted the nation’s accomplishments in the biofuel sector, indicating that India achieved a 10 percent ethanol blending five months ahead of the 2022 deadline, with the target for 20 percent blending now advanced from 2030 to 2025–26.

He stated that India’s refineries are world-class, globally integrated, and export-ready, positioning the country as the fourth-largest refining nation and among the top seven exporters of petroleum products, with exports exceeding USD 45 billion in FY 2024–25.

Puri characterized the 2025 amendment as a timely and progressive measure that strengthens the government’s commitment to fostering a modern, transparent, and technology-driven energy ecosystem that champions growth, sustainability, and self-reliance.