Veerappa Moily calls for stepping up investment in oil and gas sector

Union Petroleum and Natural Gas Minister Dr. M. Veerappa Moily has emphasized the need for greater investment in the oil and gas sector.

Dr. Moily, who was speaking at an Assocham Seminar on Indian Economy in the context of global energy scenario, here today, said that the government is committed to deal with the energy security issues.

It is in this context that the gas pricing formula effective April 1, 2013, was recently revised based on the recommendations of Rangarajan Committee. This, he said, will boost investors' sentiments in the sector and the exploration is expected to be greatly encouraged by implementation of forward-looking Rangarajan Committee recommendations.

Dr. Moily reiterated that at the current gas price of US$4.2 per MMBTU, DGH has been rejecting development plans gas discoveries finding them unviable.

Dr. Moily said that the investment in the sector on the one hand has been declining in recent years, while the imports have been growing. Therefore, he added, people should understand the necessity of the recent decision.

He also said that the government has taken a number of measures to boost investment and accelerate exploration work. These include allowing exploration work in mining lease area, securing defence clearance to long pending blocks, revision of gas pricing etc.

Dr. Moily disclosed that the CBM Policy and Shale Gas Policy are being finalised while work on setting up National Data Repository (NDR) has also commenced.

Underlining the issue of rising demand for petroleum products, Dr. Moily stated that India is emerging as a key demand-centre for energy in the future.