The 4th India Africa Hydrocarbons Conference concluded in New Delhi today with a resolve to strengthen the relations between India and Africa in all its dimensions, particularly in the Hydrocarbons sector .
In her valedictory address, the Minister of External Affairs, Smt Sushma Swaraj called for working together and moving towards energy justice from energypoverty.She alluded to the centuries old relationship between India and the African continent, and gave a call for injecting new dynamism in India-Africa ties by pursuing win-win opportunities in all areas for the larger common good of the people of both regions.
Expressing a great degree of satisfaction over the conduct of the conference, the Minister of State (Independent Charge) for Petroleum and Natural Gas, Shri Dharmendra Pradhan called it a rewarding event. He said that, during the calendar year the Ministry plans to mount composite delegations comprising upstream, downstream and EPC service providers from both public and private sector to countries where we assess potential for future co-operation. He also announced additional 250 fully funded scholarships for African nationals for technical and professional courses in the Hydrocarbons sector in Indian institutes. Shri Pradhan also said that India recognizes Africa as a valued partner for the comprehensive development of our peoples
The 4th India ¬Africa Hydrocarbons Conference was organized in New Delhi on January 21¬- 22, 2016. A total of 21 African countries participated in the event. The event saw enthusiastic representation from Africa at various levels including Ministers of Petroleum, Petroleum regulators, CEOs of National Oil Companies and experts in the field of petroleum. The delegations of 9 African countries ¬ Mauritius, Morocco, Algeria, Sudan, South Sudan, Tunisia, Senegal, Equatorial Guinea and Liberia ¬ - were headed by the respective Ministers. Senior officials led the delegations from Nigeria, Ghana, South Africa, Egypt, Tanzania, Kenya, Mozambique, Uganda, Libya, Cote d’Ivory, Gabon & Sierra Leone.
The conference aimed to give a renewed thrust to India’s engagement with African nations in the hydrocarbon space, and carried forward the vision of a multidimensional, comprehensive India¬ Africa partnership spelt out by Hon’ble Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi at the 3rd India¬ Africa Forum Summit held in New Delhi in October 2015.
Many of the participating African countries made crisp presentations highlighting opportunities in their hydrocarbon sector. The two¬ day conference also afforded an opportunity for India to showcase its accomplishments and techno¬ commercial capabilities spanning across upstream, midstream and downstream sectors as also India’s unique value proposition for the rapid development of the African hydrocarbon industry. Two panel discussions on “Emerging challenges and mitigating measures in hydrocarbon sector and beyond” and “Regulatory and Fiscal Regime challenges and potential solutions to stimulate investment in Upstream and Downstream sectors” were held.
It was noted that India’s engagement with African countries in the petroleum sector has been on an upswing in the past few years. India imports crude oil nearly 16% from Africa now, with the majority coming from Nigeria and Angola. Besides, Indian public and private sector companies have interests in oil and gas fields across Africa, including Sudan, South Sudan, Mozambique, Gabon and other countries.
Shri Pradhan held bilateral meetings with his counterparts from nine African countries as well as with the delegations from the other visiting countries. The Minister referred to India’s thrust for achieving a geographically diversified energy basket and said that India will try to increase its oil and gas sourcing from Africa even further. The African countries evinced specific interest in using India’s expertise and assistance in refining, capacity building and training of their manpower for the petroleum industry.
During the bilateral meetings, it was also agreed to provide facilitating framework, wherever required, for public and private sector companies of India and the African countries to undertake oil and gas projects. A number of Indian companies from the petroleum industry – including leading public and private sector players – held Business¬ to ¬Business meetings with their African counterparts on the sidelines of the conference. ONGC Videsh Limited signed an MoU with Equatorial Guinea for co¬operation in pursuing E&P activities.
In her valedictory address, the Minister of External Affairs, Smt Sushma Swaraj called for working together and moving towards energy justice from energypoverty.She alluded to the centuries old relationship between India and the African continent, and gave a call for injecting new dynamism in India-Africa ties by pursuing win-win opportunities in all areas for the larger common good of the people of both regions.
Expressing a great degree of satisfaction over the conduct of the conference, the Minister of State (Independent Charge) for Petroleum and Natural Gas, Shri Dharmendra Pradhan called it a rewarding event. He said that, during the calendar year the Ministry plans to mount composite delegations comprising upstream, downstream and EPC service providers from both public and private sector to countries where we assess potential for future co-operation. He also announced additional 250 fully funded scholarships for African nationals for technical and professional courses in the Hydrocarbons sector in Indian institutes. Shri Pradhan also said that India recognizes Africa as a valued partner for the comprehensive development of our peoples
The 4th India ¬Africa Hydrocarbons Conference was organized in New Delhi on January 21¬- 22, 2016. A total of 21 African countries participated in the event. The event saw enthusiastic representation from Africa at various levels including Ministers of Petroleum, Petroleum regulators, CEOs of National Oil Companies and experts in the field of petroleum. The delegations of 9 African countries ¬ Mauritius, Morocco, Algeria, Sudan, South Sudan, Tunisia, Senegal, Equatorial Guinea and Liberia ¬ - were headed by the respective Ministers. Senior officials led the delegations from Nigeria, Ghana, South Africa, Egypt, Tanzania, Kenya, Mozambique, Uganda, Libya, Cote d’Ivory, Gabon & Sierra Leone.
The conference aimed to give a renewed thrust to India’s engagement with African nations in the hydrocarbon space, and carried forward the vision of a multidimensional, comprehensive India¬ Africa partnership spelt out by Hon’ble Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi at the 3rd India¬ Africa Forum Summit held in New Delhi in October 2015.
Many of the participating African countries made crisp presentations highlighting opportunities in their hydrocarbon sector. The two¬ day conference also afforded an opportunity for India to showcase its accomplishments and techno¬ commercial capabilities spanning across upstream, midstream and downstream sectors as also India’s unique value proposition for the rapid development of the African hydrocarbon industry. Two panel discussions on “Emerging challenges and mitigating measures in hydrocarbon sector and beyond” and “Regulatory and Fiscal Regime challenges and potential solutions to stimulate investment in Upstream and Downstream sectors” were held.
It was noted that India’s engagement with African countries in the petroleum sector has been on an upswing in the past few years. India imports crude oil nearly 16% from Africa now, with the majority coming from Nigeria and Angola. Besides, Indian public and private sector companies have interests in oil and gas fields across Africa, including Sudan, South Sudan, Mozambique, Gabon and other countries.
Shri Pradhan held bilateral meetings with his counterparts from nine African countries as well as with the delegations from the other visiting countries. The Minister referred to India’s thrust for achieving a geographically diversified energy basket and said that India will try to increase its oil and gas sourcing from Africa even further. The African countries evinced specific interest in using India’s expertise and assistance in refining, capacity building and training of their manpower for the petroleum industry.
During the bilateral meetings, it was also agreed to provide facilitating framework, wherever required, for public and private sector companies of India and the African countries to undertake oil and gas projects. A number of Indian companies from the petroleum industry – including leading public and private sector players – held Business¬ to ¬Business meetings with their African counterparts on the sidelines of the conference. ONGC Videsh Limited signed an MoU with Equatorial Guinea for co¬operation in pursuing E&P activities.
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