India Plans National Hydrocarbon Technology Hub to Strengthen Oil and Gas Research and Development: MoPNG Official

India is planning to establish a National Hydrocarbon Technology Hub to strengthen research and development (R&D) in the oil and gas industry and speed up the commercialisation of new technologies, Union Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas Joint Secretary Alok Tripathi said on Wednesday. Speaking on the sidelines of the 29th Energy Technology Meet (ETM) 2026 in Goa, Tripathi said the proposed hub would create a nationally coordinated research ecosystem to help bring technologies developed within the sector into practical use.

The event attracted more than 2,500 participants and approximately 250 speakers. An accompanying exhibition showcased innovations across the upstream, midstream and downstream segments of the oil and gas industry, alongside emerging green-energy solutions such as compressed biogas. Tripathi said the meet's theme, “From Research to Commercialization,” underlined the importance of turning scientific research into commercially viable technologies that can address real-world industry requirements.

He also highlighted the ministry's partnerships with academic institutions, including the Indian Institutes of Technology (IITs) and the Rajiv Gandhi Institute of Petroleum Technology (RGIPT), to strengthen research capabilities and provide greater academic support to the sector. As part of these efforts, the ministry plans to sponsor up to 100 PhD scholars conducting research in oil and gas. The initiative is intended to allow researchers to dedicate more time to their work and help develop a stronger academic research network focused on industry challenges over the next five years.

According to Tripathi, the Energy Technology Meet also offered international technology providers an opportunity to understand India's policy reforms and investment prospects in the petroleum and natural gas sector. On refining operations, he said Indian oil companies were increasingly prioritising sustainability alongside operational efficiency. Companies are collaborating with international technology providers to adopt energy-saving solutions while also developing advanced technologies domestically.

Tripathi stressed that India wanted to move beyond the conventional model in which foreign companies supply technology and Indian companies purchase it. Instead, the country aims to build long-term partnerships that encourage joint development, knowledge sharing and greater domestic technological capabilities.

He added that developing technologies within India could lower costs and potentially deliver savings to consumers. The proposed National Hydrocarbon Technology Hub, combined with academic partnerships and research funding, is expected to support the country's broader ambition to strengthen indigenous innovation and improve the competitiveness of its oil and gas industry.

Disclaimer: This image is taken from ANI.