GSPC looks for KG basin partner

State-owned Gujarat State Petroleum Corporation (GSPC) will shortlist firms for the final bidding to develop its deepwater Deen Dayal gas field in the Krishna-Godavari basin by September, managing director DJ Pandian said.

"We are studying expression of interest received from various global majors and will decide on the eligible bidders by September," he said.

In June, GSPC had invited preliminary bids for the development of offshore platform, pipelines and onshore production facility at Deen Dayal gas field in the KG basin.

Refuting reports about Malaysia's Petronas and Canada-based Husky Energy opting out of the race, Pandian said Petronas never submitted a bid though Husky Energy had participated in the bidding process.

Exxon Mobil, Shell, British Petroleum, and British Gas had submitted preliminary bids for Deen Dayal gas field on July 5, the last day of submission. GSPC had received expression of interest from 11 global companies.

The list includes Brazil's Petrobras, Italy's ENI, Norway's Statoil, Spain's Repsol YPF, US-based Anadarko Petroleum and Sharjah-based Crescent Petroleum.

GSPC expects commercial production from the field in first quarter of 2008. GSPC is the operator in this offshore shallow water block where well No. 3 has been found with the potential reserves at the depth of 5,000 metres.