Oil India Limited (OIL) and Indian Oil Corporation Limited (IOCL) have together begun drilling activities in five onshore blocks in Libya in January 2010. The consortium acquired the five exploratory blocks in Area 86 and 102 during bidding rounds in 2004 and 2005, respectively. OIL and IOCL own 50 per cent interest each in all the blocks with OIL being the operator.

Apart from the five blocks, OIL-IOCL conglomerate also acquired non-operating interests in four more blocks in Area 95 and 96 in Algeria in 2008. Algeria's Sonatrach Petroleum Corporation is the operator in these four blocks.

The combine also owns exploratory rights in Gabon in West Central Africa.