Hardy Exploration and Production (India) Inc. v. Hindustan Oil Exploration Company Limited
Arbitration and Conciliation Act, 1996 – S.9 interim measures – Joint Operating Agreement, Art.8 – PY-3 Field (CY-OS-90/1), Cauvery Basin
Case brief
What is this about?
Madras High Court, O.A. No. 552 of 2025, decided 10.07.2025 by Justice Abdul Quddhose. Section 9 Arbitration and Conciliation Act 1996 application by Hardy Exploration and Production (India) Inc (earlier VAALCO Energy) against Hindustan Oil Exploration Company Limited (with ONGC and Invenire Petrodyne as respondents 2 and 3) concerning exclusive operations under Article 8 of the JOA and the Revised Field Development Programme in the PY-3 Field / contract area CY-OS-90/1, Cauvery Basin, under the Production Sharing Contract dated 30.12.1994. Disposed of with interim non-interference directions valid till disposal of arbitral proceedings; variation only through Section 17 application before the Arbitral Tribunal; both sides had nominated arbitrators; no monetary amounts involved; no precedents cited.
What did the court decide?
Application disposed of with interim directions: first respondent restrained from interfering with the applicant, second respondent and third respondent in oil exploration, further exploration and commercial exploitation in the Cauvery Basin under the Production Sharing Contract dated 30.12.1994 till disposal of the arbitral proceedings; liberty granted to the first respondent to seek variation before the Arbitral Tribunal under Section 17 of the Arbitration and Conciliation Act, 1996, and to the other parties to object; first respondent free to pursue its claims regarding fruits of purported exclusive operations in PY-3 and its right to join operations before the Arbitral Tribunal.