Shreekrishna Deshpande

Dr. Shreekrishna Deshpande, a Ph.D. in Petroleum Geology, is a recipient of the National Mineral Award of the Government of India for his contributions to Oil Exploration. He stands out as an important figure in India's energy story with an extensive engagement in diverse regions like Kutch, Saurashtra, Narmada Valley, the Himalayas, and the northeastern states. He has studied practically all sedimentary basins of India, both onshore and offshore and he is considered an authority on the subsurface knowledge of all the sedimentary basins of India.

During an era of limited knowledge about India's oil potential, Deshpande undertook exploration missions traversing deserts, jungles, and high-altitude Himalayan terrain, on camels, bullock carts, and ponies. His research has added to oil discoveries and increased production, including the Mumbai offshore region, Gujarat, and Assam. Deshpande's experiences collaborating with board members, government officials, and the Planning Commission offer a unique perspective on the inner workings of a highly successful corporate entity. Today, even after half a century, Dr. Deshpande remains actively engaged with private-sector oil companies, bringing his wealth of experience and expertise to guide them in their ventures.