Question : IRREGULARITIES IN ALLOTMENT OF BLOCKS

(a) whether due to irregularities in allotment of blocks for exploration of oil and natural gas, several companies having no credit have been allotted blocks where exploration of oil has not started as yet despite lapse of time allowed to them;

(b) if so, the details thereof;

(c) the number of companies engaged in exploration of oil and gas in both private and public sectors as on January 31, 2007;

(d) the details of the companies which were awarded blocks but failed to achieve the targets of exploration;

(e) whether ONGC and Reliance have drawn up any rig sharing policy; and

(f) if so, the details thereof ?

MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF PETROLEUM & NATURAL GAS (SHRI DINSHA PATEL)

(a) No, Sir.

(b) Does not arise in view of above.

(c) A total of 30 Indian companies (Public/Private) and 26 Foreign companies are engaged in exploration of oil and gas in the country.The details are given in Annex.

(d) Two companies Oil and Natural Gas Corporation (ONGC) & Reliance Industries Ltd. (RIL) did not complete the Minimum Work Programme (MWP) as per Production Sharing Contract (PSC) in few blocks awarded to them.The blocks were relinquished as per PSC provision.

(e)&(f):- Oil & Natural Gas Corporation (ONGC), Reliance Industries Ltd. (RIL) and ENI India Ltd. have formed a consortium for sharing their rigs optimally to utilize the available resources.