More production, less exploration at ONGC
In a surprise move, the PESB has selected a non-geosciences candidate as the new ONGC director exploration.
An industry source tells us this suggests the government is now more focused on production than exploration. On April 17 (2025), the PESB recommended Om Prakash Sinha, ED and head of the Ahmedabad-based Institute of Reservoir Studies for the position held by outgoing Sushma Rawat.
Sinha holds a BTech degree in petroleum engineering and was sub-surface head at the Nazira-based Assam asset before moving to Ahmedabad. Traditionally, the ONGC director exploration position is seen as more suited to geophysicists or geologists.
Former ONGC directors in this role, such as AK Dwivedi and RK Srivastava, were geoscientists. Sinha replaces Sushma Rawat, a geologist, who retires on June 30 (2025).
After mandatory vigilance clearance, Sinha will officially take charge on July 1 (2025). Interview dates were announced on April 8 (2025) after the PESB published an advert on September 18 (2024).
"The applicant should be a post graduate in geosciences/physics/chemistry or a graduate in petroleum engineering with a good academic record from a recognised university/institution," it stated, adding that a petroleum engineering qualification or graduates in geosciences or petroleum engineering would be preferred. Additionally, the PESB said the applicant must have at least five years of cumulative experience in exploration or reservoir management over the last ten years.
"This indicates the role was tailor-made for Sinha; he was head of the IRM and a qualified petroleum engineer," speculates an ONGC officer. Other candidates included Ajay Ratan, ED and nominee director at Pawan Hans; Tarun Kumar Mathuria, Jorhat-based Assam & Assam Arakan basin manager; Prabhakar Thakur, who has a PhD in geology and is CGM at the DGH; Ashwani Kumar Walia, GGM, a block manager and soon-to-be asset manager at the Silchar-based AAFB exploration asset; Vikas Mohan, CGM and chief of geophysical services; Anupama Baveja, the sole woman candidate who is CGM and head of exploration and development at OVL; K Karvannan, CGM and basin manager of the Rajahmundry-based KG-PG basin; Dinesh Singh, the CGM of corporate strategy, and Awadhesh Prasad, a reservoir CGM.