India keen to import LNG from Russia
India may import liquefied natural gas (LNG) to satisfy growing demand of energy in the country. Petroleum and Natural Gas Minister Murli Deora said on Friday that Indian oil and gas companies must involve in Russian oil and gas fields.
Mr. Deora recently visited Russia and discussed various issues with Russian Prime Minister Vladimir Putin in Moscow on November 5. He asked the PM for two million tonnes of LNG per year from Russia's Sakhalin LNG project. He also raised the issue of stake in big-ticket Sakhalin-3 oil and gas field in the meeting with the Russian PM.
Mr. Deora also raised the issue of collaboration of OVL with Russian firm Rosneft for exploration and development of Vankor oilfield in East Siberia. Mr. Deora asked for joint bidding for Trebs and Titov oilfields in the Timan Pechora region of North Russia.
However, Russian PM asked Indian companies to take part in biding process without expecting favor. Oil Secretary, R S Pandey, who accompanied Mr. Deora to Moscow, said that India has kept all options open to buy gas from Russia.