Indian firms bagged maximum number of licenses for oil and gas exploration blocks offered under new eased rules of exploration in the country, according to a list posted on the website of the Directorate General of Hydrocarbons (DGH).

Under the new rules, companies can carve out areas they want to drill for their projects

State-owned Oil India Ltd. and the country’s top explorer Oil and Natural Gas Corp. Ltd. won 12 and 8 blocks respectively, according to the list. India’s Reliance Industries Ltd. and its partner BP Plc were also awarded a block, DGH said late July 2.

Vedanta Ltd., controlled by mining tycoon Anil Agarwal, has bagged 10 oil and gas blocks, DGH added.