Cairn India tackles issues with Petro Min

New Delhi, Jan 27 (PTI) Cairn India Ltd today said it isin discussions with the petroleum ministry to resolve alloutstanding issues that are critical for operations at itsproperties like the giant Rajasthan oilfields.

"We have full faith in the government approval procedureand are confident of moving forward in an amicable manner toenhance our contribution to our country''s energy needs," CairnIndia spokesperson said today.

Cairn had on January 21, written to the oil ministrycomplaining about "delays in getting timely approvals on(routine) matters have an adverse effect on the exploration,development and production schedules."

"We are in discussion with Ministry of Petroleum andNatural Gas to resolve all outstanding issues," the Cairnspokesperson said.

Cairn in its January 21 letter, had listed out half adozen pending issues like finalisation of the point for whichsale of crude from Rajasthan block can be made to privaterefiners, the sale of Rajasthan crude to Reliance''s only-for-export refinery and allocation of crude oil produced from itsfields for 2011-12.

Furthermore, resolutions approved by the ManagementCommittee (MC), which comprises representatives from the oilministry, sectoral regulator Directorate General ofHydrocarbons (DGH) and the oil company, have not been signedby the oil ministry for the Rajasthan oil block and easternoffshore Ravva oil and gas field for over three months.

For the Rajasthan block, "MC meeting has not been held inthe last six months, due to which decisions on severalcritical issues are pending," Cairn had written.

"Cairn India has a successful working relationship withGovernment of India, which is evident from our 15-year-oldpresence in the Indian hydrocarbon sector," the companyspokesperson said today.