By THE NEWSMAN OF INDIA.COM| Guided by the national vision of energy security and self-reliance, Oil and Natural Gas Corporation continues to play a pivotal role in strengthening India’s energy ecosystem through strategic partnerships and forward-looking initiatives. On January 27, 2026, ONGC, through its joint ventures with Mitsui O.S.K. Lines, entered into shipbuilding contracts with Samsung Heavy Industries for two Indian-flag Very Large Ethane Carriers, marking a major milestone in the country’s energy logistics framework.

The signing ceremony was attended by Union Petroleum and Natural Gas Minister Hardeep Singh Puri, Arun Kumar Singh, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of ONGC, and several eminent personalities. Each vessel, with a cargo capacity of around 100,000 cubic metres, will ensure a steady supply of ethane to India, strengthening downstream industries, including Opal India, and enhancing supply-chain resilience. Owned and operated by ONGC–MOL joint ventures based in GIFT City, Gujarat, the vessels are scheduled for delivery in FY 2028–29.

Beyond maritime infrastructure, ONGC has also advanced collaboration across the energy value chain. On the same day, it formalised a resource-sharing partnership with Reliance Industries Limited, in line with the Prime Minister’s vision of shared infrastructure, aimed at improving efficiency and accelerating offshore energy development.

Further strengthening its global footprint, ONGC concluded a Master LNG Sale and Purchase Agreement with TotalEnergies Gas and Power Limited, enabling access to diversified LNG supplies and enhancing flexibility in sourcing spot and short-term cargoes. The agreement, signed during India Energy Week 2026 in Goa, reflects ONGC’s commitment to building a resilient LNG portfolio.

In addition, ONGC and Bharat PetroResources Limited signed a Memorandum of Understanding to deepen cooperation in exploration, focusing on technical collaboration, risk-sharing, and optimisation of future bid opportunities.

Commenting on the developments, Hardeep Singh Puri described the VLEC contracts as a symbol of strong trilateral cooperation among India, Japan, and the Republic of Korea, and a strategic step towards securing specialised marine logistics.

Through these integrated initiatives, ONGC is quietly strengthening India’s energy backbone, aligning with Maritime Amrit Kaal Vision 2047 and the spirit of Atmanirbhar Bharat, while charting a sustainable path towards long-term energy security.