Russia keen to participate in Iran-Pak-India gas proj

New Delhi, June 28: Russia's state-owned petroleum giant Gazprom today said that it was keen on participating in the proposed Iran-Pakistan-India gas pipeline project.

Also, ONGC Videsh Ltd (OVL) is eyeing participation in Sakhalin-111 project in Russia.

This was stated by visiting Deputy Chairman of Russian Federation Alexander Zhukov who called on Petroleum Minister Murli Deora here.

Mr Zhukov welcomed the interest shown by the Indian companies to participate in more projects in Russia and expressed hope that the specific arrangements would be worked out during the forthcoming visit of the India Prime Minister to Russia.

The issue of evacuation of gas from Sakhalin-1 field was also discussed in the meeting. OVL, ONGC's overseas arm, has prepared a fesability study for export of gas as LNG. OVL has a 20 per cent participating interest in Sakhalin-1 oil and gas project along with carrying another 20 per cent on behalf of Roseneft, a Russian national oil company.

Mr Deora said that the national oil companies of India and Russia have a good experience of working together in the Sakhalin-1 project which went on stream last year.

UNI