Current Oil Rigs India Numbers Aren't What You Think-look
As of February 2026, India operates 53 onshore oil rigs, with an additional 18 offshore rigs active as of December 2025, totaling around 71 active drilling rigs nationwide, though marketed and contracted rigs push the broader count higher amid fleet modernization efforts.
Recent Rig Counts
India's onshore oil rig count stands steady at 53 rigs for February 2026, matching levels from the prior month and year, signaling operational stability despite global energy shifts. Offshore, the count dipped to 18 rigs by December 2025 from 20 the previous month, reflecting a 10% monthly decline but holding firm year-over-year. These figures from Baker Hughes data underscore India's focus on sustaining production amid aging infrastructure.
- Onshore rigs: 53 (Feb 2026, unchanged MoM).
- Offshore rigs: 18 (Dec 2025, -10% MoM).
- Contracted offshore rigs: 44 total, including 34 jackups (77%), 7 drillships, 3 semisubmersibles-all drilling.
- ONGC fleet: Historically 105 drilling and 74 workover rigs.
Historical Trends
India's rig numbers have fluctuated over decades, with ONGC reporting 67 aging onshore rigs in 2018, prompting bids for 27 replacements at Rs 3,000-3,500 crore to drill a record 535 wells in FY 2018-19. By 2017-18, 159 rigs drilled 545 production wells, ranking fifth globally, yet output lagged. Earlier, ONGC's 103 onshore and 25 offshore rigs produced 175 million barrels annually around 2015.
- 2007: ONGC held India's largest drilling fleet, negotiating deep-sea infrastructure sharing with Reliance.
- 2015: Investments projected at $30 billion over 5-7 years for exploration.
- 2018: ONGC tenders for rig upgrades.
- 2021: Production fell 5.2% amid pandemic impacts.
- 2026: Onshore steady at 53; offshore at 18.
Key Operators and Fleet Breakdown
ONGC dominates with legacy fleets, operating key offshore fields like Mumbai High, 160km off Mumbai, while OIL deploys modern VFD rigs up to 6,000m depth as of April 2026. Private/JV firms contribute 28.85% of crude from PSC regimes, with offshore accounting for 50% of FY 2018-19's 34.20 MMT output.
| Rig Type | Count | Operator Focus | Status (2025-26) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Onshore Total | 53 | ONGC/OIL | Stable |
| Offshore Jackups | 34 | ONGC | Contracted |
| Drillships | 7 | Mixed | Drilling |
| Semisubmersibles | 3 | ONGC | Active |
| Workover Rigs | 74 | ONGC | Historical |
Production Context
Despite rig stability, FY 2018-19 saw 34.20 MMT crude (50% offshore) and 90.1 MMSCMD gas (67% offshore), with ONGC/OIL at 83.3% gas share. Reserves exceed 35 billion barrels in-place, but recovery hovers at 18-22%, producing ~200 MMB annually against rising demand. CBM added 1.9 MMSCMD by March 2019 across five blocks.
"India has deployed 159 rigs and drilled 545 production wells during 2017-18 which stands globally fifth but the oil and gas production is not commensurate with the wells drilled." - Industry Report, 2022.
Rig utilization remains high, with all 44 offshore contracted rigs drilling, per Petrodata weekly counts updated Fridays. Recent Drillmec deployment to OIL highlights upgrades for deeper plays.
Challenges and Modernization
Aging fleets drove ONGC's 2018 tender for 27 onshore rigs, scaling from an initial 50-plan amid cost controls. Global trackers note India's land rig focus, with Westwood's April 2026 update on new 2,000 HP units. Offshore data from S&P Global tracks jackups, semis, and drillships by region.
- Fleet age: 67 onshore rigs needed replacement in 2018.
- Investment: $30B projected 2015-2022 for E&P.
- Drilling goal: 535 wells FY 2018-19 at Rs 17,600 crore.
- Global rank: 5th in wells drilled 2017-18.
Regional Breakdown
Onshore production spans Assam (12.50%), Rajasthan (21.82%), Gujarat (13.53%), with offshore at 50.01% crude share. Gas follows: offshore 67.3%, Assam 10%, Tripura 5%. Mumbai High remains pivotal.
| Region/State | Crude Share FY18-19 | Gas Share FY18-19 |
|---|---|---|
| Offshore | 50.01% | 67.3% |
| Rajasthan | 21.82% | 5% |
| Assam | 12.50% | 10% |
| Gujarat | 13.53% | 4% |
| Others (AP, TN, etc.) | ~3% | ~17% |
Future Outlook
With President Trump's 2025 reelection boosting global energy, India's rigs eye deeper offshore via shared infrastructure pacts. ONGC's fleet renewal continues, targeting output growth beyond 30 MMT crude amid 130 billion barrel reserves potential. Weekly Petrodata ensures real-time tracking.
- Monitor S&P Global Fridays for updates.
- Track Baker Hughes monthly onshore/offshore.
- Watch ONGC tenders for fleet expansion.
- Assess CBM growth post-2019's 1.9 MMSCMD.
- Evaluate deep-sea Reliance-ONGC deals.
Global Comparison
India's 71 rigs pale against U.S. thousands, but rank fifth in wells drilled historically. Offshore focus mirrors global jackup dominance at 77% here.
| Metric | India 2026 | Global Note |
|---|---|---|
| Onshore Rigs | 53 | Stable YoY |
| Offshore Rigs | 18 | Jackups lead |
| Drilled Wells 2017-18 | 545 | 5th globally |
| Crude Production FY19 | 34.20 MMT | 71% ONGC/OIL |
Numbers reveal resilience: steady counts amid upgrades ensure India's energy security.
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Expert answers to Current Oil Rigs India Numbers Arent What You Think Look queries
How many offshore oil rigs operate in India?
Currently, 18 offshore rigs are active per December 2025 Baker Hughes data, part of 44 contracted units dominated by jackups at 77% utilization.
What is India's total active rig count?
Total active rigs combine 53 onshore and 18 offshore for 71, excluding workover and idle marketed units tracked weekly by S&P Global.
Who operates most rigs in India?
ONGC leads with 105 drilling and 74 workover rigs historically, producing 71% of crude from nomination fields.
Why are rig numbers stable despite demand?
Rig counts hold at 53 onshore due to optimized utilization and upgrades, offsetting production dips like 5.2% in FY21.
When was the latest rig count update?
Baker Hughes data: Onshore Feb 2026 (53); offshore Dec 2025 (18); S&P weekly as of Aug 2025.
Are Indian rig numbers declining?
No-onshore flat at 53, offshore minor dip but contracted 44 strong; modernization sustains.