Cairn Oil & Gas signs contract with Parker Wellbore, recently acquired by Nabors Industries to strengthen Exploration and Production in Rajasthan, India

Brings in a high performance 2000 horsepower (HP) drilling rig to Barmer, Rajasthan

Delhi NCR, April 1 2025 Cairn Oil & Gas, part of the Vedanta Group and India’s largest private oil and gas exploration and production company, has entered into an agreement with Parker Wellbore, recently acquired by Nabors Industries—a global technology provider—to expand operations in India using a high-performance 2000HP drilling rig.

Cairn Oil & Gas will deploy this state-of-the-art rig in Barmer, Rajasthan—the company’s largest onshore producing asset in India, this month. This advanced rig features a top drive system, automated pipe handling, and real-time data monitoring, all designed to enhance operational efficiency, maximise performance, and deliver safer, more consistent drilling operations. This deployment aligns with Cairn’s ongoing efforts to increase production and support its exploration initiatives in the region.

Recently at CERAWeek 2025, Vedanta Chairman Anil Agarwal shared the company’s plan for India’s energy sector growth. The company will be investing in brownfield projects to add 5bnboe reserves, and produce 500,000 barrels per day at a cost of $5/bbl.

Hitesh Vaid, Chief Financial Officer, Cairn Oil & Gas, stated, “Cairn is leading large investments to accelerate exploration of unconventional resources in India. Through our collaboration with proven global partners, we are unlocking the untapped potential of oil & gas resources in the country. This strategic partnership with Parker Wellbore will enable us to start drilling within the next few months, further enhancing our operational performance and contributing to our growth in line with our vision to grow production.”

Cairn has a proven petroleum system with high quality source rock, multiple grabens with oil and gas plays in rift set up and limited areal extent with gross thickness of ~500 m. Drilling of one well in oil play has provided evidence of the system’s viability for further exploration and development.

Cairn’s growth projects include Deepwater, Tight Oil, ASP, Shale, and Northeast exploration among others to enhance production from its diversified portfolio. The company is on the lookout for partnering with global oil and gas companies with expertise in such growth projects. 

As a key player in India’s energy landscape, Cairn currently contributes ~25% of the nation’s domestic crude oil production and has a bold vision to double the contribution, securing India’s energy future through responsible and sustainable practices. 

The leadership of both the companies met at CERAWeek in Houston to solidify this partnership. 

About Cairn Oil & Gas

Cairn Oil & Gas, part of Vedanta Limited, is India’s largest private oil and gas exploration and production company, contributing about a quarter of India’s domestic crude production and driving energy security for the country. With a world-class resource base, Cairn has an interest in 62 blocks in India spread over 60,000 square kilometres with gross 2P (Gross Proved Plus Probable Reserves) and 2C (Gross Contingent Reserves) of 1.4 bnboe. Cairn has producing assets across Rajasthan, Andhra Pradesh, Gujarat, and Assam, and has spearheaded several technological innovations with high-reward prospects, over the last 30 years of its operations. The company has a vision to contribute 50% of India’s domestic production, executing one of the largest exploration projects in the country across its diversified portfolio comprising conventional and unconventional projects such as Tight Oil & Gas, Deep & Shallow Water, ASP and CBM, reinstating the faith in the country’s hydrocarbon potential.

Cairn is committed to achieving Net Zero by 2030 by prioritising environmental resilience and is driving transformative social impact at scale. It is the first Indian company to sign the United Nations Environment Programme’s methane reporting and reduction initiative – OGMP 2.0.

About Vedanta Limited

Vedanta Limited (“Vedanta”), a subsidiary of Vedanta Resources Limited, is one of the world’s leading natural resources companies spanning across India, South Africa, Namibia, Liberia, UAE, Saudi Arabia, Korea, Taiwan and Japan with significant operations in Oil & Gas, Zinc, Lead, Silver, Copper, Iron Ore, Steel, Nickel, Aluminium, Power & Glass Substrate and foraying into electronics and display glass manufacturing. For two decades, Vedanta has been contributing significantly to nation building. Governance and sustainable development are at the core of Vedanta’s strategy, with a strong focus on health, safety, and environment. Vedanta has put in place a comprehensive framework to be the ESG leader in the natural resources sector, is committed to reducing carbon emissions to net zero by 2050 or sooner and aims to spend $5 billion over the next 10 years to accelerate this transition. Giving back is in the DNA of Vedanta, which is focused on enhancing the lives of local communities. Anil Agarwal Foundation, the umbrella entity for Vedanta’s social initiatives, has pledged Rs 5000 crore over the next five years on various social impact programs and its flagship project, Nand Ghar is setting up model anganwadis across India. Vedanta Ltd. ranked 3rd in the S&P Global Corporate Sustainability Assessment 2023, and has been listed in the Dow Jones Sustainability World Index. The company has also been certified as a Great Place to Work 2023. Vedanta Limited is listed on the Bombay Stock Exchange and the National Stock Exchange.

For more information, please visit www.cairnindia.com / www.vedantalimited.com 

About Nabors Industries

Nabors Industries is a leading provider of advanced technology for the energy industry. With operations in more than 20 countries, Nabors has established a global network of people, technology and equipment to deploy solutions that deliver safe, efficient and responsible energy production. By leveraging its core competencies, particularly in drilling, engineering, automation, data science and manufacturing, Nabors aims to innovate the future of energy and enable the transition to a lower-carbon world.

For any media queries, please contact: 

Ms. Shivanjali Singh
Chief Communication Officer
Cairn Oil & Gas, Vedanta Ltd
Shivanjali.Singh@cairnindia.com