(a) whether the Government have decided to invite bids for the twenty oil blocks under its new exploration licensing policy;
(b) if so, the names of the oil blocks identified for exploration;
(c) the number of bids received by the Government and whether these bids have been processed; and
(d) if so, the names of the parties who have shown their interest in taking up the exploration work in these oil blocks?
MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF PETROLEUM & NATURAL GAS (SHRIMATI SUMITRA MAHAJAN)
(a) & (b):- To intensify efforts for exploration of oil and gas in the country, the Government has invited bids for twenty four exploration blocks, i.e eleven in onland, one in shallow water offshore and twelve in deepwater area under the fourth round of New Exploration Licensing Policy (NELP-IV). The details of these blocks are given in Annexure.
(c) &(d):- The last date for submission of bids is the 30th September, 2003.