Deora in Algeria to boost oil ties

As part of India's efforts to achieve energy security, Petroleum Minister Murli Deora will discuss with his Algerian counterpart cooperation in the oil and gas sector during his on-going visit to the African country. Deora is in Algeria in the middle of a three-nation tour that also covers Syria and Egypt for expanding cooperation in the energy sector, especially hydrocarbons.

Other members of the delegation are petroleum secretary M S Srinivasan, ONGC chairman R S Sharma, IOC chief S Behuria, GAIL chairman U D Choubey and Engineers India chairman and managing director M Rohtagi.

During his stay in Algeria, a delegation level talk will be co-chaired by Deora and his counterpart Chakib Khelil, Minister of Energy and Mining of Algeria.

Deora reached Algeria from Syria where New Delhi and Damascus agreed to form joint working groups to cooperate in a number of areas spanning exploration, production and refining. Syria has agreed to provide information to Indian firms about seven blocks proposed for bidding later this year, according to official Syrian Arab News Agency.

In Algeria, Deora will discuss opportunities for Indian companies in the next round of bidding for blocks. ONGC Videsh Ltd proposes to jointly bid with the Algerian national oil company Sonatrach.

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 IOC would be explored. Opportunities for IOC's city gas distribution projects would also be taken up during the visit.