Story perspectives

Supreme Court Names Sole Mediator in KG-Godavari Dispute

By Drooid · Oct 30, 2026 · How we work

Read the story

Story summary

Summary

Supreme Court appoints Justice Ranjana Prakash Desai as sole mediator in KG-Godavari gas dispute.
Government sues Reliance Industries, BP Plc and Niko Resources over alleged gas siphoning.
ONGC alleges consortium extracted gas from its offshore blocks into KG-D6 between 2009-2013.
Government seeks disgorgement of nearly $1.5 billion plus $174 million interest.
Delhi High Court set aside July 2018 arbitral award in February 2025, deeming it contrary to public policy.

History

UNCLOS, which entered into force on 16 November 1994, created 200-nautical-mile exclusive economic zones granting coastal states sole rights to offshore hydrocarbons. Under the convention, India claims jurisdiction over the KG-D6 block, leading to the 2025 Supreme Court decision that overturned the KG-Godavari arbitration, appointed Justice Desai as mediator, and ordered a $1.5 billion disgorgement from Reliance-BP-Niko.

1 of 2

UNCLOS, which entered into force on 16 November 1994, created 200-nautical-mile exclusive economic zones granting coastal states sole rights to offshore hydrocarbons. Under the convention, India claims jurisdiction over the KG-D6 block, leading to the 2025 Supreme Court decision that overturned the KG-Godavari arbitration, appointed Justice Desai as mediator, and ordered a $1.5 billion disgorgement from Reliance-BP-Niko.

1 / 2