PETROLEUM
MINISTER SHRI RAM NAIK URGES MIDDLE EAST OIL PRODUCERS TO RATIONALIZE
OFFICIAL SELLING PRICES
IRAN
TO DECIDE AWARD OF FARSI EXPLORATION BLOCK TO ONGC SOON
In his bilateral meetings with the
Oil Ministers of middle east oil exporters Shri Ram Naik Minister
of Petroleum & Natural Gas urged for equalization of FOB official
selling prices for the western markets and the consumers east
of Suez. Presently middle east crudes under the term contracts
from Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, Iran etc. for the consumers east of
Suez, including India, are priced higher by US Dollar 1.5 to 2.00
per barrel, on FOB basis, than the prices for the North American
and European markets. Shri Naik, who is attending the 8th
International Energy Forum being held from September 21-23 at
Osaka, Japan, had bilateral meetings with Saudi Petroleum Minister
Ali I.Naimi and Iranian Oil Minister Bijan Namdar Zangenah. Shri
Naik had discussed this issue with his Kuwaiti counterpart on
Saturday the 21st September. The middle east Oil Ministers
appreciated the Indian concern and assured to examine the issue.
Shri Naik urged his Iranian counterpart
for an early decision and approval by the Government of Iran to
the offer of ONGC for Farsi exploration block in Iran. Iranian
Oil Minister assured Shri Naik that his government would try to
clear ONGC’s proposal by the end of October, 2002. The two ministers
also reviewed the progress made on the survey for the offshore
route for the proposed Iran-India gas pipeline.
Earlier in the day Shri Naik met
Brigadier General Lun Thi Myanmar’s Minister of Energy. The two
ministers discussed export of fuels from Assam refineries to the
northern provinces of Myanmar and award of an exploration block
to ONGC, preferably in the vicinity of the block where ONGC is
already working. Responding to the Indian request, Brigadier General
Thi assured that his government would favourably consider both
the proposals on receipt of a formal communication from the Indian
side. Indian Petroleum Minsiter agreed to examine Myanmar’s request
for imparting technical training to their officers in Indian technical
institutions and extended invitation to Brigadier General Thi
to visit India.
Turkmenistani Minister of Oil and
Gas Mr. G.Nazarov and Vice President of European Commission Ms.
Loyola de Palacio also met Shri Naik. Mr. G.Nazarov sought cooperation
of the Indian government in the ADB feasibility study for laying
a gas pipeline from Turkmenistan to the South East and South Asia.
EC Vice President proposed to evolve a common consensus among
the oil importing countries on the issues relating to the security
of supply, stability in oil prices and envirnomental issues related
with the use of fossil fuels. EC will share with India the experience
of EC countries in respect of commercialization of bio-diesel.
Shri Naik also had a bi-lateral meeting
with Mr. Abdullah bin Hamad Al-Attiyah Qatar’s Minister of Energy
and Industry. The two ministers reviewed the progress of LNG project
under implementation in Qatar and India. Progress of finalization
of various commercial agreements also came up for discussion.
