The Indian request comes in the backdrop of Petroleum Ministry's decision to cut crude oil import from Iran by over 11 per cent this fiscal to 15.5 million tonnes, apparently succumbing to the US pressure.
During a meeting between a US delegation led by Carlos Pascual, Special Envoy and Coordinator for International Energy Affairs in the US State Department, and a composite Indian delegation led by Jawed Ashraf, Joint Secretary (AMS) in the MEA, the Americans made a detailed and expansive presentation on oil and gas markets including the impact of LNG and of Shale Gas on integration of gas markets.
Official sources said this included demand, supply, and consumption pattern projections of discoveries off the cost of East Africa.
On its part, "India explained the long-term projections of its energy needs including key suppliers of oil and natural gas and possible external energy sources" in Africa, North America and Southeast Asia, the sources said.
India is currently importing crude oil from 30 countries spread across different continents.
"Incentives being provided on renewable energy sources were also detailed and in the context of these discussions, the possibility of export of Shale Gas in liquefied form from the US to India was also raised," the sources said, adding "it is expected that the US will positively consider this."
Earlier in the day, Minister of State for Petroleum and Natural Gas R P N Singh, in a written reply to a question in Rajya Sabha, said India has decided to cut crude oil import from Iran by over 11 per cent this fiscal to 15.5 million tonnes. (more)