Among the 76 priority geologic provinces identified for the World Energy Assessment Project of the U.S. Geological Survey is the Bombay geologic province (province 8043), which is an oil-prone area, both onshore and offshore. The Bombay geologic province is bounded on the north by the Nagar-Parkar Ridge, on the east by the Precambrian Vindhyan Plateau and Deccan Syncline, on the south by the Vengurla Arch and on the west by the 2,000-m bathymetric contour. The area includes the outer shelf of western India, much of which is referred to as the Bombay Shelf; Bombay High; Dahanu, Panna, and Surat Depressions; Cambay and Narmada Deltas; Cambay and Kutch Grabens; and Saurashtra or Kathiaw Peninsula.

Structurally, the province consists of a deformed and rifted portion of the western Indian plate passive margin. Significant features include the uplifted structures of the Bombay High and...>>MORE