India to invite bids for 55 oil blocks

India on Thursday offered 55 oil and gas blocks and 10 coal bed methane blocks for bidding under the sixth round of New Exploration Licensing Policy in an attempt to raise domestic output.

Petroleum minister Murli Deora said of the total 55 blocks offered, 24 are in deep sea, 6 in shallow offshore and 25 are onland blocks. Bidding opens on February 28 and closes on September 15.

Roadshows for the NELP-VI round would be held in Delhi (March 10), London (March 20), Houston (March 23), Perth (March 20-31), Kuala Lumpur (April 5-6), Singapore (April 7), Doha (April 22), Dubai (April 23-24), Calgary (June 14-15) and Rio (June 19-20).