Name the state known as the 'Oil Bowl of India' due to abundant crude oil production?

The correct answer is Assam . Key Points Assam is widely recognized as the Oil Bowl of India because it is the pioneer state in the discovery and production of crude oil in the country . The state has a long history of petroleum exploration dating back to the late 19th century , making it the oldest oil-producing region in Asia . The first commercial discovery of crude oil in India occurred at Digboi in the Tinsukia district of Assam in the year 1889 . Following this discovery, the Digboi Oil Refinery was commissioned in 1901 , which remains the oldest operating refinery in the world. The major oil-bearing strata in Assam are located in the Brahmaputra Valley . Significant oil fields include Digboi , Naharkatiya (discovered in 1953 ), and Moran-Hugrijan (discovered in 1956 ), which have been contributing to the nation's energy security for decades. The term Oil Bowl is attributed to the state due to the high concentration of hydrocarbon reserves and the density of oil wells and refineries within the Upper Assam region. The Oil India Limited (OIL) , a premier public sector undertaking , has its operational headquarters in Duliajan , Assam . It was incorporated in 1959 to expand exploration and production activities in the northeastern region of India . Additional Information Refineries in Assam : The state currently houses four major refineries: Digboi Refinery , Guwahati Refinery (located at Noonmati ), Bongaigaon Refinery , and Numaligarh Refinery . These facilities are essential for processing the crude oil extracted from local fields into usable products like petrol , diesel , and kerosene . Gujarat : While Assam is the historical Oil Bowl , Gujarat is another major producer with significant fields like Ankleshwar , Kalol , and Cambay . The Ankleshwar field, discovered in 1958 , is often referred to as the Fountain of Prosperity . Rajasthan : In recent years, Rajasthan has emerged as the largest onshore producer of crude oil in India . The Mangala Area in the Barmer district , discovered in 2004 , is one of the largest onshore oil discoveries in the country in recent times. Andhra Pradesh : This state is known for the Krishna-Godavari (KG) Basin , which is a massive source of natural gas and crude oil , primarily located offshore in the Bay of Bengal . It plays a vital role in India's transition towards a gas-based economy . Important Points Mumbai High : Located 176 km off the coast of Mumbai in the Arabian Sea , it is the largest offshore oil field in India . It was discovered in 1974 by the Oil and Natural Gas Corporation (ONGC) and remains the highest contributor to India's total crude oil production. Geological Features : The oil and natural gas in Assam are found in Tertiary rocks , specifically within the Barail and Tipam groups of rock formations. These hydrocarbons are trapped in anticlines and fault structures created during the Himalayan orogeny. Hydrocarbon Vision 2030 : The Government of India has implemented the Hydrocarbon Vision 2030 for North East , which aims to double the oil and gas production in the region, including Assam , to boost economic growth and create employment . Historical Fact : The first oil well in India was actually drilled at Makum , Assam , in 1867 , just seven years after the world's first oil well was drilled in Pennsylvania , USA .