— Photo: PTI

Syrian Minister of Oil and Natural Resources, Sufian Al Alao (right), and Minister of Petroleum Murli Deora in Damascus on Saturday.

NEW DELHI : Taking further India's quest for energy security, the delegation led by a Petroleum and Natural Gas Minister, Murli Deora, has made a major breakthrough in cooperation between New Delhi and Damascus in a number of projects in the hydrocarbon sector.

These include participation in exploration and production, refinery modernisation and development of gas infrastructure including city gas projects.

Significant development

This significant development took place during a meeting between Mr. Deora and his Syrian counterpart Sufian Al-Alao, in Damascus late on Friday night.

Mr. Deora, who is on a three-nation visit, elaborated on the recent developments in the Indian oil and gas sector at the delegation-level talks.

He emphasised the need for greater cooperation between two countries. Mr. Al-Alao reciprocated his sentiments and at the end of the meeting both sides signed the minutes on the agreed agenda.

Petroleum Secretary M.S. Srinivasan signed the document for India and Dr. Hassan Zaienab, Deputy Minister, Petroleum and Mineral Resources, for Syria.

Syria agreed to work closely with Indian companies and consider the request for allocating blocks on a preferential basis in the spirit of mutually beneficial relationship.

It will also provide information to Indian companies about the 7 offshore blocks proposed for bidding later this year. The Oil and Natural Gas Corporation (ONGC) offered assistance to Syrian Petroleum Company (SPC) for increased and enhanced oil recovery from the country's heavy oil-fields through techniques such as in-situ combustion, gas and water injection, slim hole drilling, side tracking and production system optimisation.

In the refining sector, the India Oil Corporation and Engineers India Limited (EIL) conveyed their interest in participating in different opportunities in Syria.

EIL said it was interested in participating in the upcoming Banias Refinery upgrading project.

Syria agreed to provide details of the project.

On the offer of the Gas Authority of India Limited (GAIL) to develop CNG-based infrastructure, Syria said GAIL had qualified for CNG distribution and the country would float the bid document before the year-end.

JWGs agreed upon

The two sides also agreed to form Joint Working Groups, for identified areas of mutual cooperation, comprising officials of both countries.

They will fine-tune and monitor the work programme under the aegis of the Hydrocarbon Committee to be co-chaired by Dr. Hassan and the Secretary, Petroleum and Natural Gas, India.

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