GOVERNMENT OF INDIA

MINISTRY OF PETROLEUM AND NATURAL GAS

LOK SABHA

UNSTARRED QUESTION NO: 3498

ANSWERED ON:04.08.2014

ACQUIRING GAS RESERVED ABROAD

(a)whether any survey has been conducted by public / private sector companies particularly by the Oil and Gas Corporation Limited (ONGC) / ONGC Videsh Limited / Oil India Limited to acquire shale oil /gas blocks / fields abroad for making India self-reliant in oil and natural gas production;

(b)if so, the details thereof and the outcome thereof along with the names of the countries where said blocks / fields have been acquired by various public / private sector companies, country and company-wise;

(c)the estimated amount incurred and quantum of crude oil / gas from said blocks/ fields to be imported annually; and

(d)the export policy of foreign countries to allow import of crude oil and gas from these blocks / fields, countries-wise?

ANSWER

(a)No, Madam. However, Oil and Gas PSUs evaluate and carry out due diligence of shale oil and gas assets acquisition opportunities abroad and take decision based on techno commercial criteria.

(b) and (c)The PSU company-wise details of the shale gas / oil assets acquired overseas are as under :

 The production of shale oil and gas in the US is sold in the local market. IOCLs share of 1.2 MMTPA of LNG from its asset in Canada is slated for export to India from 2019 onwards.

(d)The US does not allow export of crude oil. In case of LNG exports to non-FTA countries, specific approval is required from the Department of Energy. There is no restriction on export of crude oil or LNG from Canada.