ONGC investing Rs 1 lakh crore to transform into low-carbon energy player

State-owned Oil and Natural Gas Corporation (ONGC) is investing Rs 1 lakh crore by the end of this decade in low-carbon energy opportunities, including renewables and green hydrogen as it looks to transform into a low-carbon energy player, the company said.

In a statement, India's largest crude oil and natural gas producer said it has detailed a "roadmap to scale up its low-carbon energy portfolio significantly". "ONGC has aligned itself with India's ambitious goals and is wholeheartedly contributing to the nation's aim to curtail carbon emissions by 1 billion tonne and simultaneously reduce carbon intensity by 45 per cent by 2030," it said.

It said the firm has adopted various de-carbonization levers resulting in significant emission reductions over years. "Integrating sustainable practices into core operations has enabled a reduction in Scope-1 and Scope-2 emissions by 17 per cent in the last five years. ONGC has reduced its emissions by 2.66 per cent in FY23 (April 2022 to March 2023 fiscal year).

"ONGC plans to significantly increase its spending on green initiatives to reduce its carbon footprint as a broader effort to achieve net-zero for Scope-1 and Scope-2 emissions by 2038," the statement said.

The firm is in an advanced stage of crafting collaborations with leading players in the energy space on various low-carbon energy opportunities including renewables, green hydrogen, green ammonia and other derivatives of green hydrogen.

"ONGC is planning to set up two green-field O2C plants in India," the statement said without giving details. It is also "charting a roadmap for opportunities in renewable energy and low-carbon sectors. ONGC is investing around Rs 1 lakh crore by the end of this decade, on its multiple green initiatives and is planning to scale up its renewable portfolio to 10 GW by 2030." ONGC is also actively exploring collaborations with leading players to leverage various low-carbon energy opportunities including renewables, green hydrogen, green ammonia and other derivatives of green hydrogen.

Also, the focus is on research and development in carbon capture, utilization, and storage (CCUS) technologies to mitigate emissions from existing processes.

"However, oil and gas exploration and production (E&P) will remain the cornerstone of its energy business. Extensive exploration in known basins as well as frontier plays, sustained production from existing fields and exploitation of deep-water fields remain the central areas of emphasis," the statement said.

In recent years, ONGC has persistently pushed the frontiers of exploration, expanding its boundaries. Under its 'Future Exploration Strategy', ONGC has set up an ambitious target to bring 5 lakh square kilometers area under active exploration by acquiring one lakh square km every year, spending Rs 10,000 crore annually on exploration by 2025.

"ONGC is dynamically evolving to meet changing realities. While maintaining our immediate focus on exploration and production, we are also crafting a future-ready ONGC that exemplifies resilience, agility, and adaptability. With each step forward, its discourse and actions will align more with that of an 'energy' company rather than solely an oil and gas explorer and producer," the statement added.

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