Date: 26 and 27 June 2025 | Location: Bharat Mandapam, New Delhi, India
UrjaVarta: Shaping the Future of India's Energy Sector
The Directorate General of Hydrocarbons proudly presents the second edition of UrjaVarta, India's premier upstream energy conclave. Building on the success of its inaugural edition, this two-day event will feature insightful sessions, interactive workshops, and networking opportunities centered around the overarching theme of “Collaborate, Innovate, Synergize.”
This gathering will bring together policymakers, industry professionals, think tanks, and technical experts to address key challenges in India's hydrocarbon sector. This year, the conclave will focus on four thematic areas: Strategic Energy Resilience, Collaborations for a Better Tomorrow, Digital & AI in E&P, and Pivoting Towards New Energy.
As India's energy sector continues to grow, UrjaVarta 2025 provides a platform for exchanging views that will help shape the future of the E&P sector. Join us for this strategic event that will influence India's approach to energy security for years to come.
Date: 26 and 27 June 2025 Location: Bharat Mandapam, New Delhi, India
Souvenir
UrjaVarta 2025 Souvenir
Souvenir encompassing event speakers, themes, agenda and compendium of abstracts
His Excellency Shri Hardeep Singh Puri
Hon’ble Minister of Petroleum and Natural Gas Government of India
Born in Delhi, India, on 15 February 1952, Shri Hardeep Singh Puri was educated at the University of Delhi, earning a BA (Hons) in History with First in order of Merit in 1971 and an MA in History in 1973 with First Division. He was a keen debater and served as the Prime Minister of Hindu College Parliament.
Joined the Indian Foreign Service in 1974 and had a distinguished 39-year career, serving in senior positions at the Ministries of External Affairs and Defence. Held Ambassadorial level assignments in London and Brasilia and served as Permanent Representative of India to the United Nations in Geneva and New York.
Retired from the Indian Foreign Service in 2013 and joined the International Peace Institute (IPI), New York, where he served as Senior Adviser and later as Vice-President of the IPI and Secretary-General of the Independent Commission on Multilateralism (ICM).
Appointed President of the Governing Body and Chairman of the Governing Council of the Research and Information Systems for Developing Countries (RIS). In May 2019, he became the Minister of State (Independent Charge) for Housing and Urban Affairs and Civil Aviation and Minister of State for Commerce and Industry. In July 2021, he became Minister of Petroleum and Natural Gas and Minister for Housing and Urban Affairs. In June 2024, he was re-appointed as Minister of Petroleum and Natural Gas.
His Excellency Shri Suresh Gopi
Hon’ble Minister of State Petroleum and Natural Gas and Tourism
Shri Suresh Gopi is serving as Minister of State in Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas and Ministry of Tourism, He was elected as Member of Parliament from Thrissur, Kerala and has had a distinguished career both in the entertainment industry and public service. His extensive background includes serving as a nominated member of the Rajya Sabha from 2016 to 2022, where he was known for his advocacy on environmental issues and social justice. He holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Zoology and a Master of Arts degree in English Literature from Fatima Mata National College in Kollam. Shri Suresh Gopi is poised to bring his diverse experiences and passion for public service to the Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas and Tourism, aiming to drive innovation and efficiency in India.
Mr. Pankaj Jain
Secretary Ministry of Petroleum & Natural Gas
Pankaj Jain serves as Secretary to the Government of India in the Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas. Mr. Jain holds a Masters in Business Administration and is a qualified Cost Accountant. He has wide-ranging, extensive experience in governance as well as design and execution of policy across the National and State Governments. This has encompassed the domains of oil and natural gas, financial services (banking and institutional finance), industries, power, information technology, livelihoods and MSME promotion. Mr. Jain has extensive Board experience as Chairman/Director on the Board of companies in the Petroleum and Natural Gas Sector, Banks, Development Finance Institutions, Insurance Companies, Non-Banking Finance Companies and Regulatory/Supervisory Bodies.
Mr. Praveen Mal Khanooja
Additional Secretary Ministry of Petroleum & Natural Gas
Shri Praveen Mal Khanooja is currently the Additional Secretary, Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas (MoPNG). Prior to this role, he was Director General, Petroleum Planning & Analysis Cell (PPAC), an attached office of the Ministry of Petroleum & Natural Gas since November 2019. Mr Khanooja is a B Tech in Chemical Engineering and M Tech in Management & Systems. He belongs to 1994 batch of Indian Audit & Accounts Service (IA&AS) and has worked in various capacities in Defense Audit, Railways Audit, State Government Accounts & Audit at many field and Headquarters’ postings. His diverse experience and technical expertise make him a valuable asset in shaping India’s energy policies and strategies.
Dr. Pallavi Jain Govil IAS
Director General (DG) Director General Of Hydrocarbons
Dr. Pallavi Jain Govil, is serving as Director General of Directorate General of Hydrocarbons (DGH). She has an impressive track record and has previously served as Principal Secretary of Public Health and Family Welfare and Health Commissioner in Madhya Pradesh. She is a 1994 batch IAS officer from the Madhya Pradesh cadre and holds double Master’s degrees in Economics and Public Policy Analysis from the Delhi School of Economics and Princeton University, respectively, and a Ph.D. in Economics from the City University of New York Graduate Center. Dr. Govil's expertise will guide India's hydrocarbon exploration and production policies.
Ms. Varsha Sinha
Secretary Oil Industry Development Board
Ms. Varsha Sinha is currently serving as Secretary, Oil Industry Development Board (OIDB), Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas and is also serving as Director on the Board of ISPRL, Member of Administrative Council of DGH, Member of Governing Council/Body of PPAC, OISD, CHT and the Scientific Advisory Committee on Hydrocarbons of MOP&NG. She is an officer of the Central Secretariat Service and has served various department of Government of India viz Department of Health and Family Welfare, Ministry of Culture, Ministry of Commerce (Directorate General of Foreign Trade) and Delhi Development Authority.
Prior to joining OIDB, she was working as Joint Secretary, Department of Personnel and Training, Govt. of India and was handling important work related to the Establishment Officers’ Division, the Right to Information Act, the Central Secretariat Service, the Central Information Commission and the Central Administrative Tribunals
Before joining the Government of India, she worked as Announcer and Compere in Patna Doordarshan for a period of around four years. Ms. Sinha also holds Nritya Visharad and Nritya Shiromani in Odissi dance
Ms. Varsha Sinha is MA (Pol.Sc.) and also holds PG Diploma in Journalism & Mass Communication, PG Diploma in Public Administration and M. Phil (Social Science).
Mr. Dinesh Dayanand Jagdale
Joint Secretary Ministry of New and Renewable Energy
Dinesh Jagdale serves as the Joint Secretary at the Ministry of New and Renewable Energy, Government of India, a position he has held since September 2019. With over 25 years of experience, Mr. Jagdale has significantly contributed to the renewable energy sector. Previously, he was the Director & CEO of Panama Renewable Energy Group, leading the company for over eight years. His tenure at Enercon India Limited as General Manager of Marketing spanned nearly a decade, where he drove substantial growth. He began his career at Crompton Greaves Ltd as a Marketing Executive in Exports. Mr. Jagdale holds a BE in Electronics from Walchand College of Engineering, graduating with distinction, and an MBA in Marketing from the University of Pune. His extensive background and leadership in renewable energy and marketing make him a key figure in advancing sustainable energy initiatives in India.
Dr. Sujit Kumar Bajpayee
Joint Secretary Ministry of Environment, Forest & Climate Change
Dr. Sujit Kumar Bajpayee serves as the Joint Secretary at the Ministry of Environment, Forest & Climate Change (MoEFCC), Government of India. An expert in ESG and sustainability, he holds a Doctorate in Environmental Sciences from JNU, New Delhi. With over 19 years at NHPC managing hydropower project sustainability, Dr. Bajpayee joined the Ministry in 2019 through the Lateral Entry Policy. He leads key divisions like Impact Assessment, Coastal Regulation Zone, and Policy & Law, spearheading reforms in environmental clearances and developing the Parivesh 2.0 portal. As the National Focal Point for the Ramsar Convention, he continues to drive impactful environmental policies and initiatives.
Ms. Kaumudi Sharma
Deputy Director Department of Economic Affairs Ministry of Finanace
Ms. Kaumudi Sharma is serving as the Deputy Director at Department of Economic Affairs, Ministry of Finance. With extensive experience in economic affairs, she previously held roles as Assistant Director at the International Monetary Fund (IMF) and NITI Aayog. She began her career as an Indian Economic Service Officer Trainee. Kaumudi holds a Master's degree in Economics from Jawaharlal Nehru University and a Bachelor's degree in Economics from Lady Shri Ram College for Women, Delhi University. Her academic and professional journey is marked by significant contributions to public policy and financial strategies, making her a pivotal figure in India's economic landscape.
Mr. David Hume
Domain Expert University of Houston
David Hume, is a distinguished expert in energy sector, currently serving as a Business Development Specialist and Geoscience Advisor at the University of Houston. David stands at the forefront of the upstream segment, leveraging his profound expertise in geoscience and carbon capture, utilization and storage(CCUS). David’s innovative approach and commitment to sustainability and technological advancement have set a benchmark in the industry.
Mr. Arun Kumar Singh
Chairman & CEO Oil and Natural Gas Corporation Limited
Mr. Arun Kumar Singh is the Chairman and CEO of Energy Maharatna Oil and Natural Gas Corporation Limited (ONGC). Mr. Singh commands a distinguished career spanning over 37 years in the Oil & Gas industry, both within India and on the global stage. Known for his push for corporate reforms, his astute professional business management skills have brought significant value to every enterprise he has led. Prior to this, he was the CMD of Bharat Petroleum Corporation Limited (BPCL). Additionally, he chaired Indraprastha Gas Ltd. (IGL), a prominent City Gas Distribution (CGD) Company, and played a pivotal role as a Board Member of Petronet LNG Ltd (PLL), a listed Joint Venture Company. As the President (Africa & Australia), he expanded the global footprints of Bharat Petro Resources Ltd, a wholly-owned overseas exploration subsidiary of BPCL. He holds a degree in Mechanical Engineering from the renowned National Institute of Technology, Patna. Under his stewardship, ONGC is taking significant steps to lead the Energy Transition going on in India.
Dr. Ranjit Rath
Chairman & Managing Director Oil India Limited
Dr. Ranjit Rath, Chairman & Managing Director (CMD), Oil India Limited (OIL) has an impeccable experience and expertise of more than 26 years in the field of geosciences. Dr. Rath is a proud recipient of the prestigious National Geosciences Award from the Hon`ble President of India. Dr. Rath has a rich portfolio of diverse roles spanning from strategy formulation, business development and upstream asset management to application of geosciences & exploration geology in several important projects including creation of Strategic Petroleum Reserves (SPRs), a first of its kind initiative of Govt. of India entailing underground rock caverns for strategic storage of crude oil - An intervention towards Energy Security.
Mr. Ashutosh Kumar
Chief Operating Officer Oilmax Energy Private Limited
Mr. Ashutosh Kumar is the Chief Operating Officer (E&P) of Oilmax Energy Private Limited has over 30 years of diversified experience of upstream Oil and Gas business. Over the years, he has demonstrated strong leadership skills and has played a key role in delivering complex projects, operational excellence with focus on safety, quality and schedule. He has played a key role in developing and implementing Safety and integrity management Systems, Risk management systems, Operational excellence and Organizational development programs in the organizations he has worked before. His pioneering efforts in promoting Asset integrity in Indian offshore industry are well recognized.
Mr. Jim White
Executive Director SEG,USA
Jim White is the Executive Director of the Society of Exploration Geophysicists (SEG), leading the organization since December 2020. With over 40 years of experience in the sub-surface imaging services business, he has acquired extensive expertise in managing complex operations and advancing geophysical imaging technologies. At SEG, Jim connects the global geophysics community, supporting over 14,000 members in 116 countries. His leadership focuses on promoting excellence in education, professional development and fostering new business opportunities.
Mr. Pankaj Kalra
CEO Essar Oil and Gas Exploration and Production Limited
Pankaj Kalra is the Chief Executive Officer at Essar Oil and Gas Exploration and Production Ltd. With over 25 years of experience in the oil and gas sector, he specializes in strategic vision, financial performance, and governance. Pankaj joined Essar in 2019 as the Group CFO, significantly enhancing the company's financial and operational efficiency. Before Essar, he served as the CFO of Cairn Oil and Gas, transforming it into a leading oil and gas producer in India. A rank holder Chartered Accountant and Company Secretary, Pankaj holds a Bachelor of Commerce degree from Shri Ram College of Commerce.
Dr. Steeve Moore
Deputy CEO, Oil & Gas Vedanta Limited
Dr. Steve Moore, Deputy Chief Executive Officer at Vedanta Limited over 35 years of extensive experience in the oil & gas sector. At Cairn, Dr. Moore is responsible for delivering core operational performance, leading Technical Assurance, Business Excellence, HSE governance, and Commercial. Prior to joining Cairn Oil & Gas, he held global leadership positions across Technical Integration, Operations, and Business Development, in reputed organizations such as Shell, Maersk, and Mubadala. Dr. Moore holds a Ph.D. in Chemical Engineering from the University of Newcastle upon Tyne, UK. For the last nine years, he served as the Technical Director and Chief Growth Officer at Energean, which grew into one of the leading European listed E&P companies.
Mr. Kartikeya Dube
Senior Vice President - India bp
Mr Kartikeya Dube, has appointed as the Senior Vice President - India, with effect from July 1, 2024. Prior to this role, he was serving as the Vice President, Group Investor Relations in bp’s head office in London driving investor engagement has been associated with bp for 20 years where he has held senior roles in finance, commercial and business transformation in India, Singapore and UK. The company has announced his appointment as Country Head-India and Senior Vice President, gas and low carbon for India effective July 1, 2024, replacing Mr. Sashi Mukundan who has been with bp for over 42 years, leading bp in India, by September 30, 2024. He has an extensive experience in Business Development, Investment Cases, Finance, Business Transformation, Mergers & Acquisitions (M&A), Risk Management, Debt, Procurement, Government Affairs, Advocacy etc with a track record of building diverse teams and leading collaborating across businesses and disciplines in support of bp’s growth plans.
Ms. Sushma Rawat
Director (Exploration) Oil and Natural Gas Corporation Limited
Ms. Sushma Rawat, an industry veteran with 35 years of experience, took over as Director (Exploration) at ONGC on 1st January 2023. Previously the Executive Director-Basin Manager of Assam & Assam Arakan Basin and OSD - Exploration, Ms. Rawat has been instrumental in introducing innovative technologies such as Node Based Seismic Data Acquisition, Passive Seismic Tomography, and Airborne Hydrocarbon Sensing Survey. Ms. Rawat's initiatives led to strategic collaborations with Northeast Hill University and CSIR-NEIST. Her leadership in Basin-scale 3D Petroleum System Modelling earned her the CMD Award in 2015. She is also on the boards of ONGC Tripura Power Company Limited and has served on the board of ONGC Petro Additions Ltd.
Mr. Pankaj Kumar
Director (Production) Oil and Natural Gas Corporation Limited
Mr. Pankaj Kumar as the Director (Production), provides strategic stewardship to the entire spectrum of oil and natural gas production across ONGC's production fields, both in Offshore and Onshore. His extensive 35-year journey in the oil & gas sector encompasses multifaceted expertise in Operations Management, Well Engineering, Joint Venture Management, Corporate Strategy, and Asset Management. His leadership roles include Chief of the Corporate Strategy & Planning group of ONGC and Asset Manager of prominent producing assets. A Chemical Engineering graduate from the University of Roorkee (now IIT Roorkee), he holds a Master's degree in Process Engineering from IIT Delhi. His continuous academic pursuits have led him to advanced management programs at prestigious institutions.
Mr. Pankaj Goswami
Director (Operations) Oil India Limited
Mr. Pankaj Kumar Goswami is the Director Operations of Oil India Limited has over 33 years of varied experience in oil & gas exploration and production activities at Assam and Assam-Arakan Basin in Northeast India. Additionally, he also holds the directorship in international JVs like JSC Vankorneft, LLC TYNGD and WorldAce Investments Limited. As Director Operations, he spearheads the entire gamut of activities related to oil and gas production & transportation in India and abroad. Mr. Goswami is also steering the energy transition journey of the Company with multi-pronged approach of resilient hydrocarbons, gas business development, renewables and other enablers such as hydrogen ecosystem development in the Country.
Mr. Saloma Yomdo
Executive Director Oil India Limited
Mr Saloma Yomdo is serving as Executive Director at Oil India Limited, a Maharatna PSU under the Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas. With a degree in Petroleum Engineering from IIT (ISM) Dhanbad, joined Oil India in 1994. He has been responsible for significant advancements in exploration and development activities both in India and overseas. Mr. Yomdo is also an active member of the Society of Petroleum Engineers and the Association of Petroleum Geologists, contributing to the industry through his published technical papers and presentations at various international and national forums.
Mr. Biswanath Ghosh
Director (Exploration) Vedanta Limited
Mr. Biswanath Ghosh, is a leading explorationist with over 20 years of experience in the oil and gas industry. As the director, Mr. Ghosh has been instrumental in leading extensive exploration and appraisal extensive exploration and appraisal campaigns across more than 50 blocks in 12 basins in India. His core competencies lie in exploration project management, prospect evaluation, geoscientific data interpretation, and utilizing advanced technologies such as 3D seismic visualization and multi-attribute classification. He is adept at leading multidisciplinary subsurface, exploration and development teams.
Mr. Manish Maheshwari
Executive Chairman Invenire Petrodyne Limited
Mr. Manish Maheshwari, Executive Chairman of Invenire Energy, with over 25 years of experience in the upstream oil and gas sector has a remarkable track record of turning around struggling businesses in sub-Saharan Africa and South-East Asia. Starting his career as a management trainee at Unilever after studying chemical engineering, he transitioned to the oil industry. Currently, Mr. Maheshwari oversees Invenire Energy, that supplies 10% of India’s crude oil and natural gas. His career is a testament to his strategic vision and leadership.
Mr. Ranajit Banerjee
Advisor HDFC Bank Limited
Mr. Ranajit Banerjee, a seasoned professional with over 30 years of experience in the financial services industry. He provides advisory services to senior management covering areas of corporate governance and analysis and monitoring of a large M&A transaction towards closure. Mr. Banerjee has an impressive track record in managing high-value client relationships and driving business growth. His extensive expertise and in banking and finance, coupled with his strategic vision has been instrumental in enhancing HDFC’s market position.
Mr. R Shailesh Unnithan
Chief General Manager PF&S SBU State Bank of India
Shri R Shailesh Unnithan, Chief General Manager, joined the bank in 1995. He is presently heading Project Finance & Structuring Strategic Business Unit, State Bank of India, Mumbai and brings over 28 years of extensive banking experience both in India and abroad. He excels in retail and corporate credit, trade finance and banking operations, consistently achieving organizational goals. Known for his strong communication and interpersonal skills, Shri Shailesh is adept at leading multi-cultural teams. His disciplined, detail-oriented approach and keen analytical skills underpin his success. He is commerce graduate and holds an Executive MBA from SPJIMR, Mumbai. Shri Shailesh is committed to driving innovation, enhancing customer experience, and promoting sustainable financial practices at SBI.
Mr. O.P. Singh
Director (T & FS) Oil and Natural Gas Corporation Limited
Mr. Om Prakash Singh, Director (Technical & Field Services), having over 32 years of experience in ONGC and during the course he gained deep E&P industry understanding and proven technical and management experience across the technical and commercial roles, assigned to him during his career. With a focus on performance metrics and a continual drive for excellence, Mr. O P Singh spearheaded the Tripura Asset as the Asset Manager. During his tenure, the Asset made significant improvements as he was instrumental for number of initiatives and enhanced the overall performance of the Asset through fast tracking projects and synergizing resource mobilization and its utilization. He has a distinguished track record as a drilling engineer and has demonstrated dynamic leadership and vision.
Mr. S. Roychaudhary
Director Selan Exploration Technology Limited
Mr. Samarendra Roychaudhary, is a distinguished veteran with over four decades of invaluable experience in the Oil & Gas Industry. His leadership has extended across both E&P Onshore and Offshore operations in numerous countries including India, Brazil, Venezuela, Colombia, Syria, Vietnam, Iran, Qatar, Russia, Egypt, and Sudan.
His extensive knowledge spans the entire spectrum of the upstream oil and gas industry and energy sector, making him an invaluable asset to any endeavor he undertakes.
Mr. Deepak Agarwal
Director-Sales and Marketing Schlumberger
Mr. Deepak Agarwal is a seasoned professional with over 17 years of experience at SLB. Currently, he serves as the Director of Sales and Marketing for Southeast Asia, overseeing operations in India, Bangladesh and Sri Lanka. His previous roles include Division Sales & Commercial Manger for Production Systems and Sales Lead for Well Completions in Southeast Asia region. Deepak’s extensive expertise in sales and marketing, coupled with his strategic vision, has significantly contributed to SLB’s growth and success in these regions. He is based in Mumbai, India. He has done BE in Mechanical Engineering from Delhi college of engineering.
Mr. Ajit Kumar Thakur
CEO Indradhanush Gas Grid Limited
Mr. Ajit Kumar Thakur is the CEO of Indradhanush Gas Grid Limited (IGGL), a significant entity in the Indian natural gas sector. With a robust background in the energy industry, Mr. Thakur brings extensive experience in project management, strategic planning, and operational excellence. Under his leadership, IGGL focuses on developing the North-East Natural Gas Pipeline Grid, aiming to boost regional economic growth and ensure energy security. His vision and leadership are instrumental in advancing India's gas infrastructure and promoting sustainable energy solutions.
Mr. Sanjay Kumar
Director Marketing GAIL (India) Limited
Mr. Sanjay Kumar is serving as the Director of Marketing at GAIL (India) Ltd, India's state gas utility. Prior to this role, he was the Managing Director of Indraprastha Gas Limited, India's largest CNG distribution company, since April 2022. A Mechanical Engineer from IIT Kharagpur and an MBA graduate, Kumar brings over 35 years of experience in the natural gas sector. He joined GAIL in 1988 and has held various roles in gas marketing, LNG sourcing/trading/shipping, business development, gas transmission, project management, and gas pipeline operations and maintenance.
Mr. Rajesh K Mendiratta
MD and CEO Indian Gas Exchange Limited
Mr. Rajesh K Mendiratta is the Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer at Indian Gas Exchange Limited. With a comprehensive background in business development, he has established a strong foothold in the power sector, specializing in areas such as power market, renewable energy, grid operations, and entrepreneurship. He has played a significant role in creating the Indian Energy Exchange Limited, a listed company, from the ground up. Rajesh K Mediratta's extensive experience and leadership in the energy sector, combined with his strategic approach to market development and regulatory affairs, make him a pivotal figure in the advancement of energy trading and market operations in India.
Mr. Anil Bhatia
VP and MD Emersion India
Anil Bhatia serves as the Vice President and Managing Director for Emerson India, based in Mumbai, Maharashtra. Anil has completed his Graduation in Instrumentation Engineering from University of Pune. An accomplished and dynamic professional, Mr. Anil Bhatia ha an extensive experience in operations, sales and general management across various industrial sectors. Anil has consistently delivered profitable growth through effective people and process management. He has been associated with Emerson since past 23 years and his focus on diversity, sustainability and operations excellence has been instrumental in steering Emerson-India towards its next growth.
Ms. Barnali Barua Tokhi
Managing Director Bharat Petro Resources Limited (BPRL)
Ms. Barnali Barua Tokhi is the Managing Director at Bharat Petro Resources(BPRL) has 35+ years of experience in oil, gas and energy sector. She brings of wealth of experience in the oil and gas industry, having previously held position of President-Technical at Reliance Industries. Ms. Barnali has extensive experience in the energy sector, with a focus on technical leadership and geoscientific expertise in shale gas development.
Her current role as the Managing Director at BPRL signifies her contribution and expertise in the industry.
Mr. Krishna Raghavan
CTO-Exploration and Production Hindustan Oil Exploration Company
Mr. Krishnan Raghavan serves as the Chief Technical Officer (CTO) at the Hindustan Oil Exploration Company (HOEC). With a distinguished career in the oil and gas industry, Mr. Raghavan oversees the technical operations, driving innovation and efficiency in exploration and production activities. His expertise spans across various domains, including project management, reservoir engineering, and technological advancements in hydrocarbon extraction. Under his technical leadership, HOEC continues to strengthen its operational capabilities and enhance its production efficiency, contributing significantly to India's energy sector.
Dr. Hemanta Sarma
Professor University of Calgary
Dr. Hemanta Sarma is a distinguished scholar with a rich academic background in petroleum engineering. With a Ph.D. from the University of Alberta and extensive research experience, his expertise spans various facets of petroleum engineering, including enhanced oil recovery and reservoir engineering. His current projects focus on cutting-edge areas such as low-salinity waterflood, gas-based enhanced oil recovery (EOR), and relative permeability characteristics in heavy oil and oil-gas systems. As a leading expert in his field, Dr. Sarma brings invaluable insights and innovative approaches to address the challenges and opportunities in the oil and gas industry.
Mr. Anurag Sharma
Ex-Director Oil and Natural gas Corporation Limited
Mr. Anurag Sharma has a rich experience of overseas operations leading OVL’s Vietnam projects, besides contributing in Business Development activities in CIS and SE Asia. He had also served as the EO to Director (T&FS) and led the flagship initiatives as Head - Indeg viz. Make in India and Startup India and prestigious Solar Chulha project which was taken up on clarion call given to ONGC by Prime Minster of India.
Mr Sharma has a strong track record for delivery of the projects with his excellent project execution skills. He believes in Safe work practices and is well-known for his interpersonal skills.
Mr. Arun Mittal
Executive Director Oil Industry Safety Directorate
Arun Mittal, Executive Director of Oil Industry Safety Directorate (OISD), is an experienced leader with an experience of over 3 decades in oil and gas sector. Under his guidance, OISD continues to lead initiatives aimed at enhancing safety standards and implementing best practices across the oil and gas sector. With a solid background in petroleum engineering and extensive expertise in safety regulations, Mr. Mittal plays a pivotal role in ensuring the safety sand integrity of operations within the industry.
Mr. Ajay Dixit
Executive Director-CHSE Oil and Natural Gas Corporation Limited
Mr. Ajay Dixit, is the Executive Director of Corporate HSE at ONGC Limited, Mr. Dixit has been serving in a critical role as Chief of HSE at ONGC, leveraging his extensive expertise as a Drilling Engineer, Well Control expert, and Crisis Manager to lead and manage complex situations. His career with ONGC began in May 1989, where he received on-the-job training on drilling rigs in Jorhat and Western offshore. His work in CMT was particularly challenging, requiring him to manage and control multiple emergency situations during drilling and workover-related activities. His remarkable handling of these crises earned him the CMD’s Professional of the Year award in 2004.
Ms. M B Sarma
CGM (S&E) PL Oil India Limited
Ms. Mallika Barua Sarma is the Chief General Manager (Safety & Environment) at Oil India Limited(OIL) where she has been serving since 1st March 1988. She holds an M.Sc. in Mathematics from Delhi University and an M.Phil. In Environmental Science from Guwahati University. Throughout her career, Ms. Sarma worked in various capacities within the Safety & Environment Department of OIL in its offices located at Field Headquarter, Duliajan, Rajasthan Field, Jodhpur and Pipeline Headquarter, Guwahati. Mallika B. Sarma is also a Selection committee member of Badminton Association Of India for selecting Indian Senior Badminton team for the past 5 years along with Gopichand, U. Vimal Kumar, Manjusha Kanwar & Jwala Gutta.
Ms. Mandira Jain
Head-HSE Schlumberger
Ms. Mandira Jain, is a highly accomplished professional with an impressive career spanning over 19 years in the oil and gas industry with Schlumberger. Currently serving as the HSE and CSR Head for South Asia, Ms. Jain is based in Gurugram, Haryana, India, where she leads with a focus on health, safety, environment, and corporate social responsibility. She holds a degree in Chemical Engineering from the prestigious Indian Institute of Technology (IIT), Delhi. Her technical acumen, combined with her extensive industry experience, positions her as a leading figure in the field of oil and gas services.
Ms. Molyama Kromah
Head Technical Solutions-India bp
Ms. Molyama Kromah is a passionate engineering leader with over 23 years of extensive global experience with BP. Her career spans diverse geographies including Trinidad, Egypt, the UK, and India. Molyama has proven expertise in leading production and operations activities for resilient hydrocarbons. She has successfully supported the startup and production of three deep-water gas fields offshore India. In her current role, Molyama manages the setup and integration of bpTSI, BP's new center of expertise. She provides engineering and technical support to BP's energy businesses worldwide.
Dr. Vikram Vishal
Professor IIT Bombay
Vikram Vishal is a distinguished serves as a Professor at the Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Bombay, where he is actively engaged in teaching and research. His entrepreneurial spirit is reflected in his role as the Co-Founder and the Director of Urjanovac, a company dedicated to innovative energy solutions. As the Convener of National Centre of Excellence in CCUS, Vikram leads initiatives aimed at advancing technologies and strategies for carbon capture, utilization, and storage, addressing critical challenges in climate change and sustainability.
Mr. Mandeep Narang
Director-Operations Vedanta Limited
Mandeep Narang is a seasoned professional in the oil and gas industry with extensive experience in operations management, production, and installation. He currently serves as the Director of Operations at Cairn Oil and Gas, a subsidiary of Vedanta Resources Limited. In this role, Mandeep is responsible for overseeing the operational aspects of the company's oil and gas projects, ensuring efficiency and safety in all processes. His expertise in managing complex projects and large-scale production operations contributes significantly to the company's success in the energy industry.
Mr. Neeraj Sethi
Area Director - India and Bangladesh Baker Hughes
Mr. Neeraj Sethi, as the Area Director at Baker Hughes which is a fully integrated energy technology company, leads the strategic and operational objectives for the business spanning the sub-continent. With over 27 years of international experience in the upstream oil and gas industry, he has a proven track record of growing and running divisions and companies at a country and district level, carrying out due diligence, integrating technology portfolios, and delivering optimal production and exploitation of current and new assets.
Mr. Ashish Verma
Global Account Director Schlumberger
Ashish Verma is the Global Account Director at Schlumberger, focusing on the oil, gas, and energy sectors. His career includes strategic roles at leading companies in oil, gas and energy sectors, with expertise in financial modeling, project finance, and contract negotiation.
He possesses a Post Graduate Diploma in Management (PGDM) from the Indian Institute of Management (IIM) Calcutta and has successfully cleared the 2nd level of the Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA) program. His expertise in global account management and strategic project leadership of clean energy projects drive advancements and manage large-scale projects effectively.
Ms. Pomila Jaspal
Ex-Director (Finance) Oil and Natural Gas Corporation Limited
Ms. Pomila Jaspal is a seasoned finance professional in the oil and gas industry with close to 39 years of experience. She served as Director (Finance) at ONGC and MRPL and held key roles on the boards of several subsidiaries. Ms. Jaspal was instrumental in significant mergers like OMPL and MRPL , policy developments, and financial restructuring . She is Masters in Commerce and a fellow and gold medalist of the Institute of Cost Accountants of India . She has received several accolades, including the BEST CFO AWARD OF THE YEAR 2022 and BEST WOMAN CFO of 2023.
Mr. S. K. Moitra
Ex-Director Oil and Natural Gas Corporation Limited
Mr S. K. Moitra, Ex-Director, ONGC has over 35 years of experience in oil & gas production activities at various Indian basins. He has conceptualised many out-of-box ideas for efficient resource management leading to implementation of a large number of complex and high-value projects in India's oil & gas industry.
Before assuming charge as Director (Onshore), Mr Moitra headed the Bassein & Satellite (B&S) Asset in Western Offshore, Mumbai - the highest gas-producing and second highest oil producing Asset of ONGC and the country - since 2013.
Mr. T. K. Sen Gupta
Ex-Director Oil and Natural Gas Corporation Limited
Mr S. K. Moitra, Ex-Director, ONGC has over 43 years of experience in Oil & Gas Industry - on Regulatory Policy in upstream industry , Natural Gas Industry ;Advocacy on behalf of the Oil & Gas Operators with the regulator, Major E&P activities across entire chain mainly in Production, Well Engineering, Project & Asset Management, Deepwater & Floating Production Systems, Joint Venture operations, and Marketing of oil & gas . Mr. Sengupta is one among the select club of Production Managers in ONGC with a balanced exposure to both onshore and offshore oil fields with a 4 years overseas stay at Sudan. He has received ONGC’s Highest Award i.e Chairman Award in 1994 & 2001 for meritorious service on two occasions for reviving sick wells of Mumbai High and Neelam field and enhancing the production with introduction of New Technologies.
Ms. Rashmi Govil
Director (HR) Indian Oil Corporation Limited
Rashmi Govil is a distinguished HR leader with over 30 years of extensive experience in HR Strategy, Learning & Development, Talent Management, Employee Relations, Digital Adoption, and HR Operations. Currently serving as the Director of HR at IOCL, she has successfully fostered inclusive work cultures in a Fortune 500 hydrocarbon major, managing a workforce of over 30,000 employees globally. Rashmi has led high-impact initiatives in holistic employee well-being, succession management, strategic workforce planning, performance management, HRMS, talent acquisition, rewards and recognition, and employee engagement. She heads a collaborative forum of 11 major CPSEs in the Oil & Gas sector, aligning HR strategies with future industry needs and the nation’s energy outlook. Her expertise in HR transformation, coupled with a passion for people-centric leadership, makes her an influential speaker in the field of human resources.
Mr. Rajesh Kumar Srivastava
Ex-Director (Exploration), ONGC
Country Head-India and Asia Pacific, Apeiron Management
Shri Rajesh Kumar Srivastava is the former Director (Exploration), of Oil and Natural Gas Corporation Limited (ONGC). Mr. Srivastava is a visionary leader with nearly four decades of experience in the E&P industry. He has played a crucial role in major hydrocarbon discoveries and field development plans, introducing geo-cellular modeling in ONGC. His contributions earned him the ‘Geologist of the Year’ award in 2002 and the ‘National Mineral Award’ in 2009. He also played a pivotal role in formulating the ‘Hydrocarbon Vision-2030 for Northeast India’. He also serves as a principal technical advisor with DGH and is the President of the Indian Geological Congress for 2021-2022
Mr. John Chapman
Regional Service Manager APAC Halliburton
Mr. John Chapman is the Asia Pacific Services Manager at Halliburton Landmark, based in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. With over 35 years of experience, John has held various key positions at Halliburton, including Asia Pacific Industry Solutions Advisor and Asia Pacific Technical Sales Manager. He has extensive experience in regional account management, software business development, and geoscience technical consultancy. John began his career in technical consultancy for geoscience and advanced through roles such as Regional G&G Technical Advisor. He holds a Bachelor of Science (B.S.) Honors degree in Geology from La Trobe University. His vast expertise and leadership have significantly contributed to the company's success in the Asia Pacific region.
Mr. Atul Patni
Head Digital Vedanta Limited
Atul Patni is a seasoned professional with 17 years of experience in Digital and IT Strategy, specializing in creating value across various functions, particularly in Manufacturing, Operations, and QHSE. He excels in delivering transformational programs that align with business strategies, leveraging his deep understanding of both business and technology. As a digital leader, he collaborates across functions to drive change and enhance business agility. With considerable experience as a line manager and coach, he builds motivated, success-driven teams and cultivates relationships across functional leadership, operational business, and support functions to achieve organizational success.
Mr. Chitwan Garg
Divisional Country Manager Schlumberger
Chitwan Garg is an accomplished Digital & Integration Geounit Manager at Schlumberger has over 20 years of experience, overseeing operations in India, Bangladesh, and Sri Lanka. Based in Gurugram, Haryana, he brings a wealth of expertise in Sales & Marketing, Project Management, Financial Management, and People Management. With a strong professional network and a solid educational background from IIE KIC and Heriot-Watt University, he excels in driving strategic initiatives and fostering growth within the digital and integration domains.
Dr. Manas Kumar Sharma
Ex- Director Oil India Limited
Dr. Manas Kumar Sharma, has been the former director (Exploration & Development) at Oil India Ltd. (OIL) with more than 30 years of experience in the oil and gas industry,.Mr. Sharma has also served as the executive director (basin manager-shelf), where he was involved in various E&P activities within operational areas in Assam and Arunachal Pradesh. He also conceptualised action plan for various exploration activities leading to identification of prospects for continued hydrocarbon exploration, appraisal of discoveries as well as formulation of revitalization plan for existing brown fields within operational areas in Assam and Arunachal Pradesh. He has also been instrumental in establishing industry-academia collaboration with universities in northeast India, which has helped in better understanding of the Assam & Assam-Arakan Basin for carrying out extensive exploration activities by OIL in the Northeast.
Dr. P. Chandrasekaran
Ex- Director Oil India Limited
Dr. Pattabhiraman Chandrasekaran has been former Director at Oil India Limited (OIL). He has an extensive career spanning over 33 years in the oil and gas industry. He also serves as Director at D&M India Pvt Ltd. Previously, he was Chief Technical Advisor and Director at Oil India Limited. His long tenure at Oil and Natural Gas Corporation Ltd (ONGC) saw him in roles such as Basin Manager, GM-Geology, Chief Geologist, and Senior Geologist. He began his career as an Offshore Operations Geologist at Bombay High. Dr. Chandrasekaran's expertise includes reservoir management, acreage acquisition, strategic planning, and exploratory data analysis. He is recognized for his contributions to the exploration and development of challenging oil and gas basins in India.
Mr. Dustin Fife
Head of Subsurface Reliance Industries Limited
Dustin Fife is the Head of Subsurface at Reliance Industries Limited. With extensive experience in drilling engineering and oil and gas planning, he has honed his skills across various roles and countries. Prior to Reliance, he served as Subsurface Engineering Manager at Westside Corporation Limited in Brisbane, Australia, and as Petroleum Engineering Delivery Manager at Cairn India Ltd. His career also includes significant positions at Sasol Petroleum International and Woodside Energy. Fife holds a BS in Petroleum Engineering from the New Mexico Institute of Mining and Technology.
Mr. N.K. Bharali
Ex-Director Oil India Limited
Mr. Nripen Bharali is the former Director (Human Resources and Business Development) of Oil India Ltd. He has more than 30 years of experience in oil and gas primarily in upstream vertical. Mr. N.K. Bharali advises multinational companies in maintaining the optimized production, quality standards, formulating HR Strategy and assess key strategies for feasibly from both external and internal operation perspectives for acquisition of overseas entity as well as to devise strategies for overall corporate resource allocation (budget maintenance) with the sole purpose to realistically growing client’s P&L in Oil and Gas Vertical. He specializes facilitating sustainable growth through fresh, creative and data-driven perspective.
Mr. Tevfik Kaya
Manager New Energy-MENA Geothermal & CCS Schlumberger
Mr. Tevfik Kaya is the Manager of New Energy - MENA Geothermal & CCS at SLB (Schlumberger), based in Dubai. With over 11 years at SLB, he previously served as Country Managing Director for Turkey and as Business Development Manager across Europe, Africa, and Indonesia. He also has a long-standing part-time lecturing position in the Petroleum and Natural Gas Engineering Department at Middle East Technical University. Before joining SLB, he worked with Zorlu Energy Group and Turkish Petroleum International Company. Tevfik holds an MSc in Petroleum Engineering from Middle East Technical University.
Mr. Anish De
Global Head for Energy Natural Resources & Chemicals KPMG International
Anish De is KPMG’s Global Head for Energy, Natural Resources, and Chemicals (ENRC). He has over 25 years of experience in energy sector consulting. As a renowned power sector expert, Anish has undertaken pioneering work in sector reform and restructuring, designing sectorial policy and regulatory framework; commercial and financial advisory; PPP; strategic planning, economic analysis; investment frameworks; corporate strategies, turnaround plans, institutional strengthening, and capacity building; power markets; energy efficiency; smart grids and digital. He is a key influencer through his work, social media presence, and his op-eds in key publications.
Mr. Vivek Rahi
Partner KPMG India
Vivek Rahi, Partner at KPMG India is a seasoned professional with 16+ years of experience in energy sector with deep expertise in Upstream oil & gas, LNG, Natural Gas, City Gas Distribution (CGDs), Gas-to-power, New energies viz. Biofuels, Bio-methane, Hydrogen and CCUS. His key areas of expertise include policy & regulatory advisory, strategy & planning, business transformation, market studies, digital transformation, operation and process improvement, Techno-commercial due diligence, M&A & bid advisory, Investment promotion, energy pricing & economic modelling, oil & gas contracting & litigation support. Prior to consulting, he worked with Reliance Industries Limited as Key Account Manager with the Gas Marketing Division managing the business and commercial operations including contract negotiation, execution and operations of gas sales and transportation contracts for gas end-users.
Mr. Sushant Rabra
Partner KPMG India
Sushant Rabra, Partner at KPMG India has 17 years of experience at various levels of both corporate and government, across the globe to drive transformation strategies. Sushant has worked in diverse sectors including Oil & Gas, Metals and Mining, Manufacturing, FMCG, Social and Health, Infrastructure, Services etc. He leads the Oil and Gas sector for Digital Advisory with specialization on Digital transformation, covering usage of emerging technologies. He has advised large multinational companies, public sector organization, SMBs as well as regulators on the application of such solutions. Sushant has worked with KPMG in the U.K. as well in India, and has served clients in Europe, Africa, South East Asia as well as Middle East. His engagements often have been with the board of directors, CXOs and other senior leaders; helping them chart out the technology agenda for the organization.
Ms. Hitesh Sachdeva
Partner KPMG India
Hitesh Sachdeva, Partner at KPMG India has over 24 years of experience in M&A, Private Equity Transactions, Divestments, Infrastructure PPPs, and strategy, Hitesh brings extensive experience in Power Sector (Renewable Energy, Thermal Power, Transmission, Distribution, Hydropower), Airports, Roads. He
is presently part of the Committee constituted by Government of India for valuation norms for disinvestments. He has also been convenor of various committees formed by Ministry of Finance for acceleration of financing of infrastructure in India.
In his current role, he engages extensively with private sector strategic as well as financial investors for various investment decisions and thus brings a rich perspective of investment criteria, risk-return trade-offs, decision making of various class of investors. He has also associated with various lenders in formulating their lending and growth strategies.
Mr. Aman Sethi
Director KPMG India
Aman Sethi has Director at KPMG India has over 14 years+ of experience in Oil & Gas sector spanning across strategy development, International Sales, business planning, Supply Chain, Business Transformation, Strategic Investments, Digital Transformation etc.
Ms. Swati Garg
Manager KPMG India
Swati Garg Manager at KPMG India has around 4 years of experience spanning across Oil and Gas and new energy sector such as Biofuels and Green hydrogen, she specializes in business strategy consulting, transformation and growth strategy, business planning and implementation and project management with proficiency in market assessment, pricing, policy advocacy, data analysis and econometric modelling. She has assisted ministries, financial institutions, national and international energy majors on multiple areas.
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