Crude oil output to go up substantially from next year: Petroleum Secy

Pankaj Jain's comments follows contracts signed by govt for 34 oil exploration blocks; minister Hardeep Singh Puri asserts energy crisis in Europe far worse than India

The country will see a much higher crude production volume from next year onwards, Petroleum Secretary Pankaj Jain said on Friday, adding that the outcome is the result of a series of efforts made by the Centre. 

Jain made these comments on the heels of contracts signed by the government for 34 oil exploration blocks. He was speaking at an industry event hosted by the Federation of Indian Petroleum Industry. Jain said increased crude and natural gas exploration will help oil marketing companies (OMCs) carve out new blocks. 

He said India's crude and natural gas exploration area has already risen