NEW DELHI: With global economic slowdown and recession taking a toll on investments in the oil and gas industry the world over, India has decided to exercise caution and would now trim the offer of oil and blocks under NELP VIII likely to be launched by April.
Earlier, the Petroleum and Natural Gas Ministry had announced that it would put on auction India’s biggest number of oil and gas blocks, totalling around 100 in NELP VIII. But the developments in the world economy, especially the decline in prices of crude oil in the international market, have made things a bit difficult forcing the Ministry to re-think its plans. “The next round of oil and gas exploration blocks for auction would be announced by mid-April. An exercise to assess the impact of the slowdown is being undertaken and it would not be appropriate to give an assessment at this point of time. But there is a feeling that in view of the market conditions, we should not go all out and test waters before taking the final plunge,” Petroleum Secretary R. S. Pandey said.
Full Story: NELP VIII to offer less blocks - Hindu
Earlier, the Petroleum and Natural Gas Ministry had announced that it would put on auction India’s biggest number of oil and gas blocks, totalling around 100 in NELP VIII. But the developments in the world economy, especially the decline in prices of crude oil in the international market, have made things a bit difficult forcing the Ministry to re-think its plans. “The next round of oil and gas exploration blocks for auction would be announced by mid-April. An exercise to assess the impact of the slowdown is being undertaken and it would not be appropriate to give an assessment at this point of time. But there is a feeling that in view of the market conditions, we should not go all out and test waters before taking the final plunge,” Petroleum Secretary R. S. Pandey said.
Full Story: NELP VIII to offer less blocks - Hindu
