Desk note · industry · Oil & gas / energy security
On 18 October 2026 Oil India Ltd told exchanges it signed a revenue-sharing contract on 15 October for a special coal-bed methane block covering 272 sq km in the Singrauli coalfield, marking its return to unconventional gas exploration with seams expected around 600–800 metres deep.
In a regulatory filing on 18 October 2026, state-owned Oil India Ltd said it signed a revenue-sharing contract on 15 October 2026 for a 272.14 square kilometre special coal-bed methane block in the Singrauli coalfield. Coal-bed methane is natural gas trapped in coal seams and can be produced domestically to supplement conventional fields and imported liquefied natural gas. Oil India described the award as a landmark return to CBM exploration after prior rounds, with geological work pointing to promising seams at depths of about 600 to 800 metres and average thickness near 40 metres. The signing was attended by petroleum and natural gas minister Hardeep Singh Puri, petroleum secretary Neeraj Mittal, and senior officials from the Directorate General of Hydrocarbons.
India’s gas demand keeps rising for power, fertiliser, city gas, and industry, yet import bills swing with global prices and shipping routes. CBM blocks in coal-rich belts like Singrauli let a national explorer tap gas that might otherwise vent or stay unused while coal is mined nearby. Revenue-sharing contracts align the government take with production rather than fixed royalties alone, which is the same broad model used in other hydrocarbon auctions. Success still depends on drilling results, water handling, pipeline access, and how quickly gas can reach buyers in northern and central India. For Oil India, the block adds unconventional volume to a portfolio weighted toward Assam and overseas assets.
If you follow energy policy, watch appraisal wells and any pipeline tie-in announcements over the next two years; CBM projects often move slowly from contract to commercial flow. Industrial users in the region may eventually see another domestic gas source if production scales. Investors in Oil India should treat the signing as a long-dated option, not near-term earnings. Compare progress with other unconventional rounds and with the company’s conventional exploration spend in the same fiscal year.
Telecom / IPO
On 22 October 2026, exchange data showed Jio Platforms’ ₹30,213 crore issue had drawn about ₹3.73 lakh crore of total bids by late evening on Day 2, with the retail portion oversubscribed and market commentators citing diverted cash from other listed stocks during the book build.
SEBI / market infrastructure
On 22 October 2026, the Securities and Exchange Board of India proposed letting stock exchanges and depositories fund core-market and regulator-mandated initiatives without prior approval for each ticket, while keeping board oversight and financial safeguards and inviting comments until 12 November.
E-commerce / food delivery
On 22 October 2026, reporting said Flipkart is testing an internal food delivery product called Eat-in by Minutes with more than 8,000 employees in Bengaluru, using Ekart logistics as it prepares to compete with Zomato and Swiggy in meal delivery.
Digital trust / compliance
On 22 October 2026, eMudhra Ltd said its board will voluntarily withdraw from the global SSL/TLS certificate segment after a key-security incident on eight intermediate certificates, citing compliance cost and weak economics while stressing that other digital-trust services continue.
For informational purposes only. Not investment advice. Verify with filings and a licensed adviser.