Date:09/08/2006 URL: http://www.thehindubusinessline.com/2006/08/09/stories/2006080904640200.htm

Back Scottish oil, gas cos looking for joint ventures in India

Rahul Wadke

Opportunities in deep-sea exploration

India has a large and growing energy market and we would like to offer our expertise in supply chain management for upstream oil companies.

Mumbai , Aug. 8

Scottish oil and gas companies having expertise in deep-sea exploration and development of marginal oil fields are looking for joint venture opportunities in India.

The Scottish Development International (SDI) an economic development agency for Scotland is facilitating interactions between the companies of the two countries.

Based in Glasgow, SDI is entirely funded by the Scottish Government.

The Scottish Executive and Scottish Enterprise jointly control the SDI. A think- tank from SDI is currently meeting with Indian energy companies with an aim to understand their specific requirements.

Mr Brian Nixon, Director of Energy, Scottish Enterprise, told Business Line that the SDI has began to identify opportunities in `deepwater exploration' where increasing number of Indian companies are venturing. Scottish companies can offer their expertise in sub-sea engineering. They can also help in developing marginal oil fields, he said.

"Given the current oil price, any oil field operator would like to maximise his returns from the oil fields. Maximise the life of the current infrastructure, reduce shutdown period and enhance environmental performance. In such areas Scottish companies can offer skills," he said. Mr Nixon said that India has a large and growing energy market and we would like to offer our expertise in supply chain management for upstream oil companies. India has its own oil infrastructure and R&D skills therefore we would like to add value only in niche areas. We want Scottish companies to come to India and establish long-term relationship and not just bid for single contract, he said.

"This relationship could be transfer of technology, training manpower in specialised areas or it could be investment in Indian companies. Once these linkages are established then Indian companies could enter the North Sea and the European Market. India-Scottish joint venture companies could then also tap the market in Asia-Pacific region," Mr Nixon said.

Mr Nixon added that Scottish companies could also help in training of the personnel and building competencies especially for people working in dangerous environment such as oil fields, he said.