The concession agreement covers an area of up to 6,162 sq km, granting the special purpose vehicle, UBPL, 100% concession rights
Indian Oil Corporation (IOCL) and a subsidiary of Bharat Petroleum Corporation (BPCL) on Wednesday announced an oil discovery in Onshore Block 1, Abu Dhabi. The discovery happened on Tuesday.
IOCL and BPCL subsidiary Bharat PetroResources (BRPL) jointly operate the Onshore Block 1 Exploration Concession in Abu Dhabi through a 50:50 Special Purpose Vehicle, Urja Bharat Pte (UBPL). UBPL was awarded the Onshore Block 1 concession in early 2019 through Abu Dhabi’s 2019 Bid Round.
Both the oil marketing companies (OMC) reported the development through a filing on BSE.
The discovery follows the award of the exploration concession to UBPL in March 2019, and the successful completion of the exploration phase, during which the company invested nearly $166 million.
The concession agreement covers an area of up to 6,162 sq km, granting UBPL 100 per cent concession rights.
In early 2024, UBPL made its first oil discovery in the Unconventional Shilaif play in the XN-76 exploratory well. After successful hydrofracking operations, the well flowed light crude oil at surface from the Shilaif formation.
The successful testing results have established the presence of unconventional oil resources in Onshore Block 1.
The company is positive about the well results and is looking forward to further establishing the economic deliverability of wells during the appraisal phase.
UBPL also witnessed oil discovery during testing of the exploratory well XN-79 02S in Onshore Block 1. The well flowed light crude oil, making it the first oil find in the Habshan reservoir in the concession area. Going forward, this discovery would be appraised and matured for potential development.
BPRL is positive with the well results and is looking forward to further establishing the economic deliverability of wells during the appraisal phase, the company said.
BPRL has also witnessed oil discovery during testing of the exploration well XN-79 02S in Onshore Block 1. The well flowed crude oil, making it the first oil find in the Habshan reservoir in the concession area, BRPL added.
Such positive developments are encouraging and certainly a significant achievement for both the parent companies of UBPL, as international operators, IOCL said.
In addition, both companies through UBPL are advancing towards development of the existing Ruwais field and exploring other potential hydrocarbon prospects within the concession area, it added.
Published on January 14, 2026
