Arun Singh gets unique one-year extension as ONGC chief

Arun Kumar Singh has received a unique one-year extension as ONGC's chairman, indicating that the government may have sought stability to build upon the progress made by India's leading oil and gas producer during his tenure.

Singh, 63, will remain the chairman of Oil and Natural Gas Corporation (ONGC) until December 6, 2026, as per an official order that referenced a choice made by the Appointments Committee of the Cabinet led by Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

In 2022, he was appointed chairman of a blue-chip PSU, becoming the first near-60 executive to do so. Now, in a different groundbreaking decision, his term will extend until he is 64 years old.

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Industry sources indicated that Singh provided essential stability in management at ONGC, aiding in reversing the ten-year decline in crude oil production, which serves as a feedstock for petrol and diesel, while natural gas, utilized for generating power, producing fertilizer, converting into CNG for vehicles, and fueling household kitchens.

Under his leadership, ONGC formed a technical partnership with oil giant BP to revitalize its key Mumbai High oil and gas fields. The BP collaboration has contributed to halting the decrease in production at the site and is expected to yield favorable outcomes starting next year.

For nearly eight years, the government considered enlisting a technical partner for some of ONGC's key but declining fields, yet the plan never advanced. It ultimately succeeded under Singh.

Singh also managed the initiation of oil extraction from the postponed KG-DWN-98/2 field in the Krishna Godavari basin.

A mechanical engineer from the National Institute of Technology, Patna, he is recognized for being a strict supervisor and possessing deep understanding of the operations in the oil and gas industry.