Indian oil cos committed to developing Libyan oil fields: Deora

New Delhi, Feb 2 (UNI) Minister for Petroleum and Natural Gas Murli Deora, currently on a three-day visit to Libya, in his meeting with leader of Great Fateh revolution Colonel Muammar Gaddafi has reiterated Indian oil PSUs commitment to develop Libyan oil and gas sector.

''We have already obtained exploration licence in six oil blocks, four as operator, and propose revamping of the refineries as joint venture partners and set up city gas projects,'' Mr Deora said during the meeting yesterday.

He sought the support of Libyan leader in harnessing tremendous opportunities for cooperation between the two countries.

Handing over a letter from Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, Mr Deora told Colonel Gaddafi ''you hold tremendous affection amongst the people of India''.

Colonel Gaddafi stressed the need for further strengthening of relations between India and Libya and suggested visits between two countries should be exchanged at the highest level more frequently.

Mr Deora also met Libyan Minister for Economy, Trade and Investment Ali Abdallah Al Essawi.

During the meetings, Mr Deora was accompanied by the Petroleum Secretary M S Srinivasan, Indian Ambassador to Libya D P Shrivastava, IndianOil Chairman S Behuria, Oil India CMD M R Pasrija and ONGC Videsh MD R S Butola.

UNI