The Hindu Business Line : Qatar to consider India's request for more LNG

Expanding ties
Qatar to supply LNG to Ratnagiri Gas and Power on interim basis
Interested in opportunities in energy-related infrastructure in India
Petroleum Minister meets with counterparts from other countries; suggests E&P deals

New Delhi , April 26

Qatar has agreed to consider India's request for the supply of additional liquefied natural gas (LNG) to meet the country's increasing demand. At a recent meeting with Qatar's Second Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Industry and Energy, Mr Al-Attiyah, the Petroleum Minister, Mr Murli Deora, sought additional LNG supplies.

India is already importing 5 million metric tonnes (MMT) of LNG from Qatar and has tied up another 2.5 MMT, to be received from 2009.

Qatar also agreed to supply LNG for meeting the fuel needs of Ratnagiri Gas and Power Project Ltd (RGPPL) on an interim basis till RGPPL ties up its gas requirements for the long term.

According to an official statement, Qatar has evinced interest in exploring investment opportunities in energy-related infrastructure in India, including equity participation in Petronet LNG Ltd (PLL), power and desalination projects near PLL's LNG terminal coming up at Kochi, and in NTPC's Kayankulam Power Project, if it opens up for foreign investment.

The Petroleum Minister has returned from Doha, where he led a high-level delegation to the Ministerial Conference of the 10th International Energy Forum (IEF). Mr Deora had bilateral meetings with his counterparts from other participating countries including Russia, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, the US, Venezuela, Norway, Japan and South Korea, and informal trilateral meeting with oil ministers from Iran and Pakistan, with specific focus on the Iran-Pakistan-India Gas Pipeline Project.

Hydrocarbons

At the meeting with Mr Toshihiro Nikai, Japan's Minister for Economic Trade and Industry, the two Ministers discussed the possibility of signing memorandum of understandings in different areas in the hydrocarbon sector.

This includes cooperation in E&P, particularly in third countries, exploiting hydrocarbon resources in form of the gas hydrates/synthetic hydrates, jointly undertaking studies in Asian markets, undertaking collaborating research on hydrogen, setting up a strategic oil reserve storage and adopting better energy conservation practices.

Mr Deora suggested that companies from Japan could utilise investment of opportunity offered by India in NELP-VI for 55 blocks and CBM-III round for 10 blocks.

Shipbuilding

The Petroleum Minister also met Mr WonGul Lee, Vice-Minister for Oil and Energy, South Korea, and reviewed the on-going cooperation in the sector.

Recognising Korea's strong position in ship-building, particularly LNG ships, Mr Deora suggested that collaborations may be pursued in this area between the two countries.

At his meeting with his counterpart from Venezuela, Venezuela has offered Indian oil firms long-term crude supply contracts and E&P opportunities in the Latin American nation.

Mr Deora also discussed technological cooperation in deep-sea drilling with his Norwegian counterpart, while with the Egyptian Minister he discussed the possibility of Indian firms exploring oil in that country.

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