India keen on tapping US bio-diesel expertise: Deora

New Delhi, Mar 20 (UNI) Minister of Petroleum and Natural Gas Murli Deora today said India is keen to learn from the American experience in bio-diesel and bio-fuels as well as in the development of hydrogen as a fuel.

The country has taken significant initiatives in harnessing alternative fuel sources including bio-fuels, Mr Deora said while holding discussions with Mr Samuel W Bodman, US Energy Secretary under the ongoing Indo-US Energy dialogue.

Mr Deora called for faster progress in the area of cooperation in safety of oil and gas operations for which the Oil Industry Safety Directorate of India and Minerals Management Services of the US have inked an MoU.

Referring to the tremendous success of offering exploration blocks under NELP, Mr Deora emphasised the need for greater participation of American oil majors particularly in the light of India gaining wide acceptance as important investment destination and with increased prospectivity of finding hydrocarbons.

He informed that the American oil companies could take advantage of the next offer of exploration blocks under NELP-VII which would be launched soon.

The discussions reviewed progress under the MoUs including areas of safety in oil and gas, cooperation in strategic storage, infrastructure, R&D, gas hydrates and information exchange.

UNI