'Petrotech-2007' to commence from Jan 15

New Delhi, Jan 3: Carrying a theme of energy, economy, equity and ecology, the seventh edition of international oil and gas conference and exhibition -- Petrotech-2007 -- will commence here from January 15.

Announcing this here at a press conference, Secretary Petroleum and Natural Gas M S Srinivasan said, ''The country is seen as a country with tremendous hydrocarbon potential. India is only an under-explored country and not under-endowed.'' Mr Srinivasan said successful exploration activities in the country during the past 4-5 years has given a lot of hope.

He also said in the next five years time, India will more than double its gas availability.

''Presently, we stand at 120 million cubic metres per day and in the next five years we will be more than 200,'' he said.

The members of emerging hydrocarbon countries which are the movers and shakers of hydrocarbon industry are coming in the conference and we will discuss with them what we have delivered and our future roadmaps, Mr Srinivasan said.

A number of technical papers to presented in the event will be kept for record.

He said the country's exploration activities have increased four-fold and our exploration technology is increasing rapidly.

''India is fast emerging as a hydrocarbon base,'' Mr Srinivasan added.

There are 99 domestic companies and 40 overseas companies who will be putting up stalls and participating in the exhibition. A byers-sellers meet session will be organised which will offer opportunity for exclusive managing projects and purchases in the Indian oil and gas industry.

In addition, there will be overseas ministerial participation from Nigeria, Qatar, Iran, Romania, Venezuela and others which will further strenghten the bilateral relations.

The conference is organised by State-owned Oil and Natural Gas Corporation (ONGC) under the aegis of Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas.

UNI