India shows interest to enhance oil cooperation with Sudan
Jan 16, 2007 (NEW DELHI) — India has shown interest to enhance joint cooperation with Sudan in oil and gas sectors, the Indian minister of Petroleum told the Sudanese oil State minister who is visiting India.
The Indian Minister of Petroleum and Natural Gas Shri Murli Deora held wide ranging discussions with Ms. Angelina Tany, Sudanese Minister of State for Energy & Mines, here today. The talks focused on taking forward cooperation between India and Sudan in the oil and gas sector.
Ms. Tany is here to participate in Petrotech-2007.
In his meeting with the Sudanese Minister Ms. Tany, Shri Deora conveyed India’s desire to further accelerate cooperation in hydrocarbon sector.
Indian companies like ONGC could partner with Sudan in carrying out speculative surveys and mapping for establishing hydrocarbon potential in the country.
The two Ministers also reviewed the progress with satisfaction in the existing projects being undertaken in Sudan by ONGC like Greater Nile Oil Project (GNOP), exploration blocks VA & VB and petroleum product pipeline, as also community development projects.
ONGC’s overseas arm ONGC Videsh Ltd (OVL) has a 24.125 per cent stake in Sudan’s Block 5A. Apart from 5A, OVL also has a 25 per cent stake in Sudan’s Greater Nile Oil Project (Block 1, 2 and 4), which produces 280,000 bpd.
OVL, which entered Sudan in 2003, already has three oil blocks in Sudan. It has also built a 741-km-long multi product Pipeline linking Khartoum Refinery to Port Sudan.
(ST)