#offshoredrilling

ONGC has significantly reshaped its Samudra Manthan tender, creating new implications for Deepwater Drilling India and offshore drilling contractors. Through its latest corrigendum, the company has removed floater and semisubmersible categories from the project scope and narrowed the requirement to one or more 3000-metre water-depth DP drillships. The decision signals a stronger focus on specialized deepwater exploration assets.

The revised structure changes both technical and commercial dynamics within Deepwater Drilling India. ONGC has reduced the firm charter period from 48 months to 36 months while retaining a 12-month optional extension. Although mobilisation fee caps have been increased, contractors now face lower revenue visibility and greater pressure to optimise asset deployment and operating efficiency.

A key feature of the amendment is the phased mobilisation schedule. The first rig must be mobilised within 180 days of the Notice of Award, while subsequent rigs will follow a staggered deployment sequence linked to 2027 timelines. This approach provides ONGC with greater operational flexibility while ensuring access to critical deepwater drilling capacity.

The removal of provisions allowing rig-category substitution further clarifies the tender structure and reduces bidder uncertainty. According to Indian Petroplus analysis, ONGC’s latest move reflects an effort to secure drillship capability without committing to a broader offshore fleet programme. As offshore exploration gains momentum, Deepwater Drilling India is expected to remain a strategic investment area for India’s upstream sector.

The latest changes to the ONGC Deepwater Rig Tender under the Samudra Manthan mission indicate a significant shift in India’s offshore exploration strategy. ONGC has revised the tender structure by narrowing the scope to 3000-meter water-depth DP drillships, removing the earlier provisions for semisubmersibles and anchor-moored floaters. This move sharpens the focus on deepwater drilling capability while reducing the complexity of fleet deployment. The revised ONGC Deepwater Rig Tender reflects the company’s effort to align technical requirements with long-term offshore exploration goals.

Another important change is the reduction of the firm charter period from 48 months to 36 months, while retaining a 12-month optional extension. This adjustment provides ONGC with greater contractual flexibility but increases risk for contractors operating high-value offshore assets. Although mobilisation fee caps have been increased, drillship owners will still need to manage deployment and investment risks carefully. The revised framework strengthens the position of specialised drillship operators while reducing opportunities for mixed-fleet bidders.

The updated mobilisation schedule also suggests a more structured deployment approach. The first rig must mobilise within 180 days of award, while additional rigs follow a phased timeline linked to future operational requirements. This creates a deployment hierarchy rather than a simple procurement exercise.The evolving ONGC Deepwater Rig Tender demonstrates ONGC’s intention to secure advanced offshore drilling capability without committing to a broader fleet programme. Indian Petroplus believes the revised structure signals a more targeted deepwater exploration strategy. This Indian Petroplus analysis indicates that specialised drillship contractors are likely to benefit most as ONGC prioritises operational flexibility, technical efficiency, and long-term offshore resource development, ONGC, Deepwater Rig Tender, Samudra Manthan, Offshore Drilling, Drillship, Deepwater Exploration.

Jackup rig hire tender activity in India’s offshore drilling sector is seeing a major shift after ONGC relaxed bid security requirements for multiple rig participation under tender ZW3AC26003. The latest jackup rig hire tender revision allows bidders to submit EMD for only one non-empaneled rig even if several rigs are offered, reducing liquidity pressure and potentially widening participation in India’s offshore rig market. However, ONGC has retained strict technical qualification norms including class certification, serviceability, operating history, TPI compliance and residual life certification. The tender covers charter hiring of two or more MLT/BMC jackup rigs for a three-year period under an international competitive bidding framework. Industry observers believe the corrigendum improves bid economics for offshore contractors while allowing ONGC to maintain tight control over rig quality and operational reliability. Indian Petroplus analysis suggests the move reflects ONGC’s strategy to attract wider offshore capacity participation without compromising fleet discipline or execution standards in India’s offshore drilling segment.

The ONGC jackup rig tender reflects a calibrated shift in procurement strategy, where entry barriers are being softened without compromising technical discipline. The key change—limiting EMD to only one non-empaneled rig even if multiple rigs are offered—directly improves bidder liquidity and participation.

However, the technical gate remains firmly intact. ONGC continues to enforce strict requirements around rig serviceability, recent operating history, class certification, TPI compliance, and residual life. This ensures that while more bidders can enter, only technically robust rigs remain competitive.

From an Indian Petroplus analysis, this approach signals a dual objective: expand offshore rig availability while maintaining control over execution risk. The structure allows ONGC to attract a wider pool of contractors without diluting asset quality standards.

The tender also retains flexibility on the number of rigs to be awarded. While the baseline requirement is two rigs, additional capacity depends on operational needs, giving ONGC strategic control over fleet deployment.Overall, the ONGC jackup rig tender is not just a procedural adjustment. It reflects a broader strategy where financial entry barriers are eased to stimulate competition, while technical and operational controls remain tightly enforced to safeguard project delivery, ONGC, Jackup Rig, Offshore Drilling, Oil And Gas India, Energy Tenders.

The global Oil and Gas Corrosion Protection Market is currently navigating an "Integrity-First" era in 2026. Valued at 52.73 USD Billion in 2024, the market is being driven by the critical need to extend the life of aging brownfield assets and the development of ultra-deepwater offshore fields. As the industry faces harsher "Sour" environments and stricter environmental mandates, it is projected to reach 79.57 USD Billion by 2035, exhibiting a steady 3.81% CAGR.

Market Highlights

Current Market Size (2024): 52.73 USD Billion

Estimated 2026 Market Value: ~56.82 USD Billion (Driven by a 2026 surge in subsea infrastructure maintenance)

Forecast Value (2035): 79.57 USD Billion

CAGR: 3.81% (2025–2035)

Dominant Type: Coatings (High-performance epoxies and polyurethanes)

Primary Application: Midstream (Pipelines and storage tanks)

Regional Leaders: North America (Shale focus), Middle East (Massive onshore/offshore capacity), and Asia-Pacific

2026 Strategic Market Outlook: Resilience in Extreme Environments

In 2026, corrosion protection has evolved from a reactive maintenance cost to a proactive "Digital Twin" integrated strategy.

Rise of Smart Coatings: A major 2026 technical trend is the commercialization of Self-Healing Coatings. These 2026 materials contain microcapsules that rupture upon mechanical damage, releasing "healing agents" to seal cracks before corrosion can begin. This 2026 innovation is becoming the standard for high-abrasion splash zones on offshore platforms.

Combating MIC (Microbially Induced Corrosion): In 2026, the industry has seen a 22% increase in the adoption of specialized biocides and non-toxic internal linings designed specifically to combat MIC. As 2026 operators utilize more recycled produced water for fracking, managing the bacterial load to prevent "pitting" has become a top priority.

High-Temperature/High-Pressure (HTHP) Protection: 2026 is a record year for Thermal Spray Aluminum (TSA) applications. As drilling reaches deeper, higher-temperature reservoirs in the Gulf of Mexico and Brazil, traditional coatings often fail; 2026 operators are turning to TSA for its superior long-term durability in extreme thermal cycling environments.

Sector & Regional Dynamics

Midstream (2026 Volume Driver): With thousands of miles of pipelines reaching their 40-year design life in 2026, the demand for External Fusion Bonded Epoxy (FBE) and cathodic protection upgrades has spiked.

Offshore vs. Onshore: 2026 is seeing a shift toward Offshore Deepwater protection. These 2026 projects require specialized "Sour Corrosion" inhibitors to handle high levels of $H_2S$ and $CO_2$ common in new subsea tie-backs.

Regional Powerhouses:

Middle East: Holding a dominant 2026 share, led by ADNOC and Aramco’s massive 2026 capacity expansion projects which prioritize 30-year "Maintenance-Free" coating systems.

North America: The 2026 hub for Digital Cathodic Protection (CP) monitoring. 2026 IoT-enabled CP systems allow for real-time voltage tracking across vast shale plays, reducing manual field inspections.

Asia-Pacific: Growing rapidly in 2026, driven by China’s strategic gas reserve expansion and the build-out of new LNG regasification terminals.

2026 Type & Corrosion Matrix

Protection Type2026 Market Status2026 Strategic ApplicationCoatingsVolume LeaderSplash zones and external 2026 pipeline protection.Corrosion InhibitorsOpex StandardContinuous injection for 2026 "Sour Gas" wells.Cathodic ProtectionReliability HeroEssential for 2026 buried infrastructure and hulls.Surface ModificationPrecision TechHigh-performance 2026 valve and pump internals.

Key Market Players (2026)

The 2026 competitive landscape is led by AkzoNobel N.V. (Netherlands), Jotun (Norway), Sherwin-Williams (USA), Hempel A/S (Denmark), and Baker Hughes (USA). Success in 2026 is being won by "Asset Integrity Partners"—firms that offer a 2026 package of sensors, coatings, and chemical inhibitors backed by an AI-driven performance guarantee.

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Related Market Insights 2026

PVC Pipes: Driven by the 2026 demand for corrosion-resistant water and wastewater infrastructure.

Contract Logistics: Essential for the 2026 global distribution of hazardous corrosion-protection chemicals.

Tire Pyrolysis Oil: Witnessing a 2026 surge as a sustainable alternative fuel for industrial boilers and furnaces.

India’s upstream energy sector is entering an exciting phase as Indian deepwater contracts gain momentum across the east and west coasts. With vast untapped reserves in the Krishna-Godavari (KG), Mahanadi, and Cauvery basins, deepwater exploration is fast becoming the cornerstone of India’s quest for energy independence.

Leading operators such as ONGC, Reliance Industries, and Vedanta are ramping up activity through drilling campaigns, subsea developments, and integrated offshore projects. New Indian deepwater contracts are being awarded for seismic surveys, rig mobilization, subsea infrastructure, and production system installations — creating major opportunities for global and domestic service providers.

The government’s reforms under the Hydrocarbon Exploration and Licensing Policy (HELP) and the Open Acreage Licensing Policy (OALP) have simplified bidding and enhanced investor confidence. As exploration moves into deeper waters and ultra-deep frontiers, the demand for advanced technology, deepwater rigs, and high-spec equipment continues to surge.

For EPC players, service contractors, and suppliers, timely information on Indian deepwater contracts is crucial to identify and act on upcoming tenders and investment opportunities.

That’s where Indian Petroplus provides an unmatched edge. As India’s leading energy intelligence platform, Indian Petroplus delivers verified, real-time insights on offshore exploration projects, contract awards, and tender updates. Subscribers gain exclusive access to data, analytics, and expert commentary designed to help them stay ahead of market developments.Register now at www.indianpetroplus.com to access exclusive intelligence on India’s deepwater projects, upstream contracts, and energy trends shaping the future of offshore exploration, FPSO Contracts, Offshore Drilling, Hydrocarbon India, Energy Infrastructure, Project Awards.