The Hindu Business Line : Deora leads high-level team to Syria, Algeria, Egypt

New Delhi April 17 The Union Petroleum Minister, Mr Murli Deora, is leading a seven-day official delegation starting on Wednesday to three oil and gas rich countries — Syria, Algeria and Egypt.

Apart from pursuing projects and areas of co-operation in exploration and production and other downstream areas of hydrocarbons sector, the Indian delegation would showcase its expertise and willingness to train oil and gas personnel of these countries.

Gas Projects

According to an official communiqué, in the first leg of his visit Mr Deora will be reaching Damascus, Syria, on Wednesday. Indian companies would be looking at the possibility of utilising next round of bidding (in 2007) for exploration blocks in Syria.

In the downstream area, Engineers India Ltd is interested in examining revamping jobs of Hayan and Banias refinery. Indian Oil Corporation's proposal for construction of 6.5 MMTPA refinery at Deir Ez Zor is likely to be discussed during the meeting.

Further, the Indian side would offer GAIL (India) Ltd's expertise in developing city gas projects in Syria, the release said.

Pursuing Opportunities

The Indian delegation would be in Algeria on April 20. A delegation level talk will be co-chaired by Mr Deora and Mr Chakib Khelil, Minister of Energy & Mining of Algeria, on April 21. The agreed minute of the meeting is likely to be signed by the two Ministers on April 22.

The visit would be utilised for creating positive atmosphere for Indian exploration and production companies to pursue opportunities in the next round of bidding for blocks in that country.

OVL proposes to jointly bid with the Algerian National Oil Company, Sonatrach, for which OVL has a MoU in place. Oil India Ltd and GAIL are also pursuing exploration and production opportunity in Algeria.

In the downstream sector, possibilities of securing liquefied natural gas (LNG) supplies for Petronet LNG, GAIL and Indian Oil would be explored besides Indian Oil's interests in gas based petrochemical projects. Opportunities for Indian companies in city gas distribution projects would also be taken up during the visit, the statement said.

Oil Flow

In the final leg of his visit, the Petroleum Minister would arrive at Cairo on the April 22. In Egypt too the opportunities in exploration and production sector including possibilities of farm-in arrangements will be examined. Indian Oil's proposal for participation in crude pipeline project from Mediterranean to Red Sea coast would be discussed for encouraging oil flow to Asia bypassing Suez Canal.

The company is also interested in petrochemical projects in Egypt. The delegation also proposes to take up LNG sourcing along with GAIL's equity participation in liquefaction facilities in Egypt.