(a) whether Kazakhstan has sought help of Indian oil and gas firms in the
development of its energy sector;
(b) if so, the details of agreements signed between both the countries in
this regard;
(c) whether ONGC-Videsh propose to explore possibilities of oil and gas
fields in Karazhanbas sea; and
(d) if so, the benefits likely to accrue to ONGC on this particular
assignment?
Minister of State in the Ministry of Petroleum & Natural Gas and Minister of
State in the Ministry of Parliamentary Affairs (Shri Santosh Kumar Gangwar)
(a) &(b): In the Fourth meeting of the Indo-Kazakhstan Joint Commission held
in New Delhi on 11.2.2002, both sides recognized the expertise and
competence of services being offered by the Indian oil companies, such as
Indian Oil Corporation Ltd.(IOC), Gas Authority of India Ltd.(GAIL) and
Engineers India Ltd.(EIL). However, no agreement in this regard had been
signed with Kazakhstan side.
(c) & (d): Participation of ONGC-Videsh Ltd. in the tender for
Karazhanbas-sea block depends on the results of the techno-economic studies.