Vision document soon for hydrocarbon sector in Assam: Pradhan

The Centre will bring out a 'vision document' for the hydrocarbon sector in Assam with an aim to attract investment in various divisions such as exploration, refining and distribution, Oil Minister Dharmendra Pradhan said today.
"We have formed a high-power committee, which will prepare a vision document in the next three months for the hydrocarbon sector of Assam," Pradhan told reporters here.
The document would focus on a roadmap for the next 25-30 years for increasing output of petroleum products in Assam and outline necessary investment for this, he said.
He further said: "Investment will go up in all divisions such as exploration, production, pipeline, refinery and marketing. A major thrust would be on enhancing the pipelines for carrying crude, product, natural gas and LPG."

Pradhan said supply of LPG in North East was a challenge and hence the ministry would invest in distribution of the fuel through pipeline.
Talking about Assam's importance, the minister said "India's base hydrocarbon could be established only because of Assam's contribution. Oil was first explored at Digboi in Assam and the world's oldest refinery is still working there.

Assam will be a major hub for 'Make-in-India' products in the country's hydrocarbon sector."
Pradhan said, "In future, our business with neighbouring countries like Bangladesh and Myanmar will increase and thereby Assam's importance will increase. That is why Narendra Modi government is focusing heavily on the North East."

"Currently, 10 per cent of the country's total hydrocarbon requirement is contributed by Assam," he said.
"At present, our import dependence is 77 per cent. The Prime Minister has set a target to reduce it to 67 per cent by 2022 despite chances of existing 8 per cent demand growth rate touching a double digit by then.