Deora Identifies Areas of Asean-India Cooperation in Hydrocarbon Sector

INVC,,,

Dalat, Vietnam,,

The Minister of Petroleum & Natural Gas Shri Murli deora has emphasized the need for greater cooperation between India and ASEAN countries in the hydrocarbon sector. Speaking at the 4th ASEAN Energy Ministers Summit at Dalat, Vietnam today, he identified key areas to highlight the need for working together in energy sector. These areas include

• Development of coal bed methane, underground coal gasification, gas hydrates and oil shale resources.
• Developing second generation biofuels.
• Harnessing energy saving technologies.

· Measures for the safety and security of the oil & gas sector.

In addition, the Minister offered to share Indian experience of utilizing Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) for public transport in which India is a world leader. Referring to the development of specialized training facilities for the hydrocarbon sector in India, Shri Deora proposed to share the same including at the Rajiv Gandhi Institute of Petroleum Technology, for ASEAN members. Adding that together we are among both producers as well as major producers, the Minister said that challenge to sustainable energy security lies in mobilizing sufficient capital to create new capacities in all areas of the energy economy, to develop new technologies, to create, replenish and enhance skilled manpower and to establish a transparent and well-regulated energy market. Shri Deora elaborated the significant growth in the India’s downstream sector and informed that the refining capacity is expected to reach 255 million tones by 2012 from the present level of 182 million tones per annum.

The Petroleum Minister pointed out that the India-ASEAN relations have deepened and intensified in recent years. In the backdrop of India’s “Look East Policy” adopted since early 90s, Shri Deora underlined that India and ASEAN should work closer together to create an ‘arch of mutual advantage.’

Following is the text of the speech of the Petroleum Minister:

“I am delighted to be here in this beautiful city. India and Vietnam have been partners in energy security for over a decade. Our National Oil Company, ONGC Videsh Ltd., has been working here in an offshore block to produce natural gas for power generation. We have also built close ties in the hydrocarbon sector with several countries represented here — Myanmar, Malaysia, Brunei and Australia.

We are particularly happy that India-ASEAN relations have deepened and intensified significantly in recent years. We desire to build upon our centuries-old historical, cultural, religious and economic ties with ASEAN to fashion a dynamic relationship. India has adopted a conscious “Look East Policy” since the early 90s. Our interaction with ASEAN is integral to this approach. We have institutionalized annual summits with ASEAN – along with China, Japan & Republic of Korea, as well as specialized working groups and participation in the various functional areas, including in the vital field of energy security. It is in this context that I decided to personally lead our delegation to this Meeting. We believe that India and ASEAN should work even closer together to create an ‘arc of mutual advantage’.

It is in our common interest that this forum is a dynamic and forward looking one, bringing producers and consumers of energy closer for common purposes. My simple message to this august audience is that India seeks a much stronger partnership in the energy sector with all to meet our Millennium Development Goals and integrate us closely within this region of extraordinary dynamism and vitality.

The theme of this Meeting is of contemporary relevance to us. It is a truism to say that energy is as basic an essential requirement of human beings today as is air, water, food and shelter. For a developing country like India, one of the most difficult tasks we face is to provide our citizens reliable access to energy at affordable prices, in an era of high volatility. We need to have sustainable economic growth of about 8-10% annually over the next 25 years to eradicate poverty and meet the basic needs and aspirations of our people.

We are fortunate that among us are both producers as well as major consumers of energy. The challenge to sustainable energy security lies in mobilizing sufficient capital to create new capacities in all areas of the energy economy, to develop new technologies, to create, replenish and enhance skilled manpower and to establish a transparent and well-regulated energy market. This Meeting would serve its purpose as we direct our efforts to coordinate actions amongst us and work towards improved energy security for all. Our motto should be to ensure availability of energy that is socially acceptable, economically viable and environmentally sustainable.

India is conscious of the challenges posed by climate change. We are concerned about the adverse effects of climate change especially on food security, health, soil erosion and sea level rise. India will have to face serious consequences of climate change even though our historical contribution to greenhouse gases (GHG) emissions has been low. Our per capita GHG emissions are about one-fourth of the global average. I am happy to mention that as a result of our policies, regulations and programmes set up over the years to address energy efficiency and energy security concerns, there has been significant decline in our energy intensity of GDP. The Government has also decided to reduce emissions intensity of our GDP by 20-25% by 2020 in comparison with 2005 level. India is one of the few countries in the world where the forest cover is increasing, despite the pressure of population growth and rapid economic growth. We have taken several measures to guard against climate variability concerns. These includes cyclone warning and protection, coastal protection, flood & drought control and relief, major & minor irrigation projects, research on drought resistance crops, etc.

I am happy to mention that under the framework of ASEAN-India cooperation, our Green Fund to promote collaboration in the areas of environment, renewable energy and energy efficiency, etc. is being set up.

We should protect the climate system for the present and future generations on the basis of equity and in accordance with our common but differentiated responsibility and respective capabilities.

Allow me, Excellencies and delegates present here, to highlight few areas where we could work together in the energy sector :

• Development of coal bed methane, underground coal gasification, gas hydrates and oil shale resources.
• Developing second-generation biofuels.
• Harnessing energy saving technologies.
• Measures for the safety and security of the oil & gas sector.

I am proud to mention that India is a world leader in use of compressed natural gas (CNG) for public transport. This has had the impact of reducing air pollution and resultant benefit to the public health in metropolitan areas. We would be happy to share our experience in the use of CNG for public transport with the countries in this forum.

India’s downstream sector has grown significantly in the last decade. The largest refining complex in the world today is in India. Our refining capacity now stands at 182 million tonnes and will grow to 255 million tonnes by 2012. While we import about 75% of crude oil requirements, thanks to our refining capacity, our exportable surplus of petroleum products is the biggest foreign exchange earner for the country.

We have developed over the years specialized training institutions for the hydrocarbon sector. We would be happy to share these facilities, including at the Rajiv Gandhi Institute of Petroleum Technology, for the benefit of members of this Forum.

As I conclude, I would like to convey our most sincere thanks to and appreciation of our gracious hosts for excellent arrangements made for this Meeting and warm hospitality extended to us”.

The Union Minister for Petroleum and Natural Gas, Shri Murli Deora at the 4th East Asia Summit (EAS) Energy Ministers Meeting, at Dalat, in Vietnam,

Print PDF

Tags:  Deora Identifies Areas of Asean-India Cooperation in Hydrocarbon Sector