<h1>Oil exploration urged to unlock hydrocarbon resources and boost the state economy while resolving licensing and legal hurdles.</h1> The Nagaland Assembly pressed for renewed petroleum exploration to reduce energy dependence, spur jobs and industry. The state's exploration history shows earlier discovery and production halted due to royalty, production-limit and legal disputes. The 2012 regulatory framework yielded permits but litigation stalled operations. The government is pursuing engagement with the central ministry, proposing a tripartite MoU, smaller exploration acreages, local revenue-sharing and a refinery to enable extraction in non-disputed areas while legal cases continue.