NELP-VII launch deferred to DecemberBS Reporter / New Delhi November 1, 2007The petroleum ministry has once again postponed the launch of the seventh round of auction of oil and gas blocks under the New Exploration and Licensing Policy (NELP VII) to after the end of the winter session of Parliament. The session begins on November 15 and ends of December 7.The round was to be officially launched on November 5, following which the upstream regulator, the Directorate General of Hydrocarbons (DGH), and the petroleum ministry were to conduct roadshows across the world to attract global oil companies.The ministry had also planned to offer 80-85 blocks for auctions during NELP VII. "Between 55 to 60 blocks will be offered. There will be a mix between onshore and offshore blocks, with greater focus on offshore," said Petroleum Secretary MS Srinivasan.In NELP VI, 55 blocks were offered, while bids were received for 52 blocks.He added that the launch of NELP VII has been delayed as the ministry officials would not be able to attend the roadshows after the launch as Parliament session would start soon after. "We will wait for Parliament to be over and then launch the round," Srinivasan said.NELP VII has been delayed a number of times. It was originally to be launched in April this year. But controversy over pricing of gas from Reliance Industries
