OVL
likely to form JV with Venezuela's PDVSA
Business
Line
MUMBAI
Petroleumworld.com 01 09 07
ONGC Videsh Ltd (OVL), the overseas investment arm of ONGC engaged in
exploration and production (E&P) of oil and gas outside India, is
hopeful of inking a joint venture agreement with PDVSA, the national
oil company of Venezuela, soon.
"Discussions
are going on and we are working on a joint venture with PDVSA. Once
the mandatory approvals are obtained the pact will be inked," a
senior company official said.
Since
PDVSA is a national oil company, Governmental approval is required before
signing the joint venture, the official told Business Line.
Subsequently, a joint working group will be formed to examine possible
business opportunities.
An OVL team is already
in Venezuela, working out the nitty-gritty of the joint venture.
A steering committee
meeting of the two entities is expected to take place in India next
week.
There are also indications
that OVL may join hands with other international oil and gas companies
to tap exploration opportunities in Venezuela.
OVL has been offered
30% participating interest in San Cristobal oil block in Venezuela.
The oil field is expected to produce 100,000 barrels of oil per day.
Apart from E&P
activities, a work programme on reserve quantification and a certification
project have been initiated by the OVL team.
ONGC is one of the
few MNCs invited by the Venezuelan Government to participate in the
biggest-ever reserve quantification and certification project in the
Orinoco heavy oil belt, along with other companies.
A
hydrocarbon agreement between India and Venezuela was signed in March
2005.
Business
Line
08 01 07
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