Deora returns home after successful visit of Russia

New Delhi, Nov 6 : Union Minister of Petroleum and Natural Gas Murli Deora has returned this morning from a successful visit of Russia.

During his meeting with Russian Prime Minister Vladimir Putin on Wednesday, Deora referred to India's desire for formation of joint venture between ONGC Videsh Limited (OVL) and Rosneft for taking up exploration and development projects in east Siberia.

The Minister expressed India's interest in joint bidding with designated Russian company for Trebs and Titov oilfields in Timan Pechora Region. He also pointed out that ONGC is interested in joining Vankor field with Rosneft. Further, the Minister informed Putin about India's keenness to purchase LNG to meet country's growing energy needs.

Putin emphasized that India and Russia have strategic ties of cooperation, which need to be strengthened further. Supporting acceleration of cooperation in the oil and gas sector, Putin advised that various proposals of cooperation should be discussed in a greater detail at company-to-company level.

Deora acknowledged the significant contribution made by Russia in developing India's oil and gas sector. Recalling long-standing friendly relations between the two countries, he mentioned that 'The Year of Russia' is being celebrated in India this year. He expressed happiness that 'The Year of India' in Russia will be marked in the year 2009.

Deora mentioned that President Medvedev would receive a very warm welcome during his visit to India next month.

At a meeting with his Russian counterpart Sergei Shmatko, Minister of Energy on Tuesday a Moscow, the matters of mutual interest were discussed. Deora invited participation of Shmatko in the India-CIS Round Table on Hydrocarbons being organized by India in New Delhi during November 25-26.

Earlier Deora made a transit halt at Ashgabat Airport (Turkmenistan) on his way to Moscow on November 4 and had a 45 minute meeting with Annaguly Deryayev, Minister for Oil, Gas Industries and Mineral Resources.

The two Ministers discussed implementation of TAPI Gas Pipeline Project and India's increased participation in exploration and production of oil and gas in Turkmenistan. Deora personally handed over an invitation to Annaguly Deryayev to participate in the India-CIS Roundtable on Hydrocarbons in Delhi on November 25-26.

It was agreed that Indian PSUs (ONGC, GAIL and EIL) would be participating in the thirteenth Turkmen International Oil and Gas Conference and Exhibition at Ashgabat on November 19-20. The Minister was specially invited to participate in this event in Ashgabat.

R.S. Pandey, Secretary (P and NG), R.S. Sharma, CMD (ONGC) and R.S. Butola, MD (OVL) accompanied the Minister.

ANI