1. The oil and natural gas zone are spread across an area of 83,419 sq. km. in the Indian Ocean.
2. Large reserves of hydrocarbons are being tapped in the offshore areas of Saudi Arabia, Iran, India and Western Australia.
3. An estimated 40% of the world’s offshore oil production comes from the Indian Ocean.
4. Offshore deposits of oil and natural gas are actively exploited by bordering countries, particularly India, South Africa, Indonesia and Sri Lanka.
