Oil field approval processes overhauled by Hydrocarbons’ Directorate General
Under a significant decision, it’s been made easier by DGH for firms to look for and produce gas in the nation by stunting the need for statutory approvals. 
Hydrocarbons’ Directorate General, the government’s technical arm overseeing upstream oil and gas production (DGH), said procedures and methods for gas blocks given under 9 bids round of New Exploration Licensing Policy (NELP) and pre-NELP blocks are being made easy.
Oil and Natural Gas Corporation and Oil India Ltd (OIL) produce 2/3rd of India’s oil and gas, the remaining is from pre-NELP and NELP blocks. The biggest of gas discoveries outside of the nomination acreage were in blocks awarded under NELP since 2000.
DGH said that the key focus is on ease of doing business in the E&P sector to increase investment and production. A transparent system requires simplification of processes. A review was undertaken by DGH of various approvals and the submission of documents.
The 37 processes to be followed are now cut short to 18, with self-certification options in half of them. For the rest of the documentation, the submission will be online. India moved to an open acreage licensing system in 2016, which provided easier compliance.
