How Oil and Gas Companies in India Are Adapting to a Greener Future
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India’s energy needs are growing fast. With more people, industries and vehicles every day, the demand for oil and gas keeps increasing. But at the same time, the world is shifting toward low-carbon and renewable energy. So, how are oil and gas companies in India handling this challenge?
Let’s talk about how these companies are changing their ways, what new things they are trying, and how companies like Essar are leading the way in this decarbonising journey.
Why Oil and Gas Companies in India Matter
Even though green energy is growing, oil and gas remain essential to India’s energy mix, powering cars, factories, electricity, and even cooking. So, oil and gas companies in India play a huge role in maintaining energy security.
But the world is pushing for cleaner, more sustainable energy, and India is no different. The government and businesses want to cut carbon emissions and accelerate the shift to renewable energy. That’s why oil and gas companies are adapting fast to the energy transition with diversified strategies.
What Are Oil and Gas Companies in India Doing to Go Greener?
Here are some ways these companies are trying to balance energy needs with being kind to the environment:
- Expanding Natural Gas Infrastructure: Natural gas burns cleaner than coal or oil. Essar and others are increasing their investments in LNG and CBM (Coal Bed Methane) solutions to help reduce carbon emissions.
- Investing in Green Hydrogen: Companies such as Essar are focusing on green / low-carbon hydrogen as the next-generation clean fuel to cut dependence on fossil fuels.
- Enhancing Carbon Capture & Storage (CCS): ONGC and Reliance are exploring CCS projects to lower emissions from existing operations.
- Reducing Operational Waste & Emissions: Digitalisation and AI-driven emissions monitoring are helping companies minimise carbon footprints while optimising resource use.
Essar’s Role in This Green Shift
Essar is a great example of an oil and gas company in India actively transitioning toward cleaner, greener energy solutions
- Essar is heavily investing in CBM, green hydrogen, biofuels, and LNG as a key part of India’s net-zero strategy.
- The company operates India’s largest coal-bed methane (CBM) project, producing 65% of the country’s total CBM output in an environmentally responsible manner.
- Essar plans a 1 GW green hydrogen facility in Gujarat to drive industrial decarbonization.
- Essar is also building a Green Mobility Ecosystem to decarbonise the Indian transportation sector by using LNG for long-haul trucks and EV for short-haul.
- The company also engages with local communities through job creation and sustainable infrastructure development, supporting socio-economic progress alongside environmental responsibility.
Essar is strongly demonstrating that traditional energy companies can lead the transition toward a low-carbon future.
Other Big Oil and Gas Companies in India
Of course, Essar is not alone. Big names like ONGC, Indian Oil Corporation (IOCL), Bharat Petroleum (BPCL), and Reliance Industries are also working on green energy projects.
- ONGC is investing in deepwater drilling and natural gas to meet India’s energy needs with less pollution.
- IOCL is pushing clean fuel options like biofuels and hydrogen.
- BPCL is expanding its LPG and gas retail businesses, which are cleaner than traditional fuels.
- Reliance is working with international companies on gas exploration and cleaner energy technology.
All these companies understand that green energy in India is the future, and they are slowly shifting their focus.
Some Data & Stats
Here’s a data table with fresh stats, showing Essar’s position among leading private oil & gas companies in India:
|
Company |
Key Assets |
Notable Projects |
| Essar Oil & Gas |
CBM fields, refinery, and Green fuel storage |
Raniganj CBM Project, Vadinar Refinery (Monetised), Stanlow Refinery (UK) |
| Reliance Industries |
Jamnagar Refinery, gas pipelines |
KG-D6 project |
| ONGC (Govt) |
Mumbai High, offshore rigs |
Deep-sea drilling projects |
| Adani Total Gas |
City Gas Distribution |
Green hydrogen, LNG terminals |
| Cairn Oil & Gas |
Barmer Basin, Rajasthan |
Enhanced Oil Recovery (EOR) Projects |
Why This Matters for India
India’s energy transition journey is crucial for economic stability and climate goals. Oil and gas companies, alongside green energy companies, provide millions of jobs, fuel industrial growth, and contribute significantly to GDP.
With India targeting net-zero by 2070, companies like Essar are setting benchmarks for responsible energy transition, proving that sustainability and profitability can go hand in hand.
What Does the Future Look Like?
Green Energy in India aims to be carbon neutral by 2070. That means a lot of changes will be undertaken in how we produce and use energy. Oil and gas will still be needed for some time, but companies, especially Green Energy companies, will have to play a key role in delivering sustainable solutions.
Natural gas companies in India will likely play a big role during this transition, since natural gas is much cleaner than oil and coal and offers an immediate solution while we prepare for widespread availability of sustainable technologies. And more companies will invest in green energy projects like hydrogen fuel and bioenergy.
Essar and others are already preparing for this future by investing in technology and cleaner fuels.
ALSO READ: Essar’s Growth as a Leader among Oil and Gas Companies in India
Final Thoughts
Oil and gas companies in India are facing a big challenge — how to keep meeting energy needs while going green. Many are adapting by using natural gas, investing in clean technology, and exploring new fuels.
Among these, Essar stands out for its clear focus on cleaner energy and local community support. It’s a good example of how oil and gas companies can move toward a greener future without stopping growth.
The road ahead will be long, but with efforts from these companies, the future of Green Energy in India looks hopeful and cleaner.
