Guwahati: Oil India Limited (OIL) has decided to retain its Corporate Office in Noida, shelving an earlier proposal to relocate it to Guwahati. The decision, endorsed by the Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas, aims to balance the company’s operational efficiency with its commitment to fostering development in Assam and the Northeast region.
The proposal to relocate the Corporate Office emerged after the 2020 Baghjan blowout incident in Assam, which highlighted the need for closer oversight of OIL’s operations in the Northeast. Following this, the Government of Assam allotted land in Guwahati for a new office, and a foundation stone was laid in June 2022.
OIL has had its Corporate Office in New Delhi since 1981, which was later shifted to Noida in 2007-08. Its Registered Office and Field Headquarters are located in Duliajan, Assam, while the Pipeline Headquarters operates out of Guwahati.
After the Baghjan incident, OIL was urged to relocate its Corporate Office to Guwahati to enhance operational efficiency, improve oversight of its Northeast operations, and foster stronger interaction with the state government and local communities. Responding to this, the Assam government allocated a plot of land in Guwahati, where the foundation stone for the office was laid in June 2022.
However, the Parliamentary Committee on Petroleum and Natural Gas raised concerns about the feasibility of the move. It emphasized OIL’s expansive operations beyond Assam, including projects in five Indian states and Union Territories and international ventures spanning seven countries. The Committee recommended a review, noting that the existing Noida-Duliajan setup had proven effective for coordination and decision-making.
After careful deliberation, the Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas concluded that retaining the Corporate Office in Noida would better serve OIL’s pan-India and global operations.
The Ministry, in its action-taken reply, stated: “The earlier decision of relocating OIL’s Headquarter/Corporate Office to Guwahati has since been reviewed, and the Competent Authority has approved the continuation of OIL’s existing Headquarters/Corporate Office at Noida and not to relocate the office to Guwahati. Compliant to observations and being a Maharatna CPSE, OIL has redefined its vision as an integrated company with a business outlook to engage actively in exploration and production activity in Pan-India, including offshore exploration efforts.”
At the same time, OIL remains committed to enhancing its presence in Guwahati by developing a regional hub to address the specific needs of the Northeast. The company plans to transform its Guwahati site into a state-of-the-art complex.
This will include a training institute to upskill employees and executives, a Centre of Excellence for Energy Studies (CoEES) to foster innovative research in energy exploration and production, and a Skill Development Institute (SDI) with residential facilities to empower Northeast youth with industry-relevant skills.
Preparations for the complex are underway, with revised building designs being finalized. The Ministry has emphasized the need for a time-bound action plan and regular monitoring to ensure timely completion.
The Parliamentary Committee welcomed the decision, commending OIL’s dual commitment to regional development and national coordination. It further emphasized the importance of positioning senior board members with expertise in exploration and production at the Guwahati office to bolster oversight of Northeast operations.
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