British delegation meets Petroleum Minister Pradhan to discuss enhancement of cooperation

A delegation led by Edward Jonathon Davey, Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change, United Kingdom, paid a courtesy call on Minister of State for Petroleum and Natural Gas Dharmendra Pradhan here today.

Both sides discussed the issue of enhancing the cooperation between the two countries in the Energy sector.

MoS (PNG) informed that Energy security is the prime focus of the new government, and it is taking steps to enhance exploration and production of oil and gas in the country. He said that Indian companies are interested in acquiring equity in the oil and gas producing field(s) of UK along with Companies which are active in hydrocarbon sector of UK as well as in sourcing LNG.

He invited the British companies to bring in investment and technology in various oil and gas sectors, like deep sea exploration, monetization of marginal and mature oilfields, laying of pipeline grid, and setting up of LNG terminal in east coast of the country. Sh Pradhan informed that the NELP X would be launched, after carrying out the necessary modifications, and it is likely to attract a large number of foreign investors.

Both sides agreed to enhance bilateral investments in the oil and gas sectors. The meeting was cordial and pleasant.