ONGC raises $300 mn via bond at 3.375%, lowest rate by any Indian issuer

State-owned Oil and Natural Gas Corp (ONGC) on Thursday said it has raised $300 million in overseas borrowing at a coupon rate of 3.375 per cent, the lowest by any Indian issuer.

The 10-year bond will mature in 2029, the company said in a statement.

"ONGC has priced its maiden offering of $bonds in the aggregate principal amount of $300 million for meeting capital expenditure in accordance with the External Commercial Borrowing guidelines issued by the Reserve Bank of India and successfully achieved its objective to set a fresh benchmark," it said.

At 3.375 per cent interest rate, this is the tightest coupon for 10-year or longer tenor offering from India ever achieved by any Indian corporate.

"The mix of investors is diverse, from across Singapore, HK, London, Taiwan, Japan and Middle East which includes 77 per cent bid from Asian investors and 23 per cent from EMEA investors. The Bankers to the deal were Citi, DBS Bank Ltd, MUFG, SBICAP and Standard Chartered," it said.

ONGC Chairman and Managing Director Shashi Shanker said the company funds its operations from internal accruals and it has capacity to do the same in future also.

"The offering of $bond however was important to set a benchmark for ONGC group which has become one of the most integrated energy major post acquisition of HPCL. It is anticipated that once the benchmark is set, it will facilitate group entities to raise funds at a competitive price," he said.

ONGC Director (Finance) Subhash Kumar added that the yield achieved in the exercise was one of the best, which further reinforces the credentials of ONGC as an integrated energy major.

"It is also expected that this issuance will enhance the group visibility in international market which will also pave way for upgraded corporate governance," he said.