Archive for September, 2007
Tuesday, September 25th, 2007
ST. LOUIS, Sept. 25, 2007 — The Boeing Company [NYSE: BA] yesterday delivered the first production EA-18G Growler to the U.S. Navy ahead of schedule and within budget.
“The Growler team put together a program plan that…has remained on cost and schedule, while meeting or exceeding all performance parameters. I don’t get to say that very often about our programs,” said The Hon. Delores Etter, assistant secretary of the Navy for Research, Development and Acquisition, during the delivery ceremony at Boeing Integrated Defense Systems facilities in St. Louis. “We have a great start to a total procurement of over 80 Gs, which will operate in our fleet for decades to come.”
EA-18G Growler Photo Credit: Boeing Photo - Kevin Flynn
(more…)
Posted in Military News - America | No Comments »
Tuesday, September 25th, 2007
The next batch of Indian Air Force task force contingent of 243 Air Warriors are due to embark on a peace keeping mission in the Democratic Republic of the Congo. This contingent is led by Group Captain NJS Dhillon. The contingent will be based at Goma, located amidst dense tropical forests, active volcanoes and ocean like lakes adjacent to Congo-Rwanda Uganda border. Charter of this contingent will be to enforce peace and will entail support of the Mi-17 utility helicopters as well as the Mi-25 attack helicopters. The contingent will operate in a hostile environment dotted with inhospitable terrain in the north eastern part of Congo. The contingent is designated Indian Aviation contingent - I (IAC-I) and IAF sends new batch of 243 personnel every year as replacement for the old batch.
IAF has established a good reputation in undertaking peace keeping duties in support of the United Nations. Incidentally, the first mission was also in Congo, nearly half a century back in 1961 when six Canberra bombers of No. 5 Squadron adorned with the IAF’s saffron white-green roundels were inducted to restore peace. These bombers had a dramatic impact on neutralization of the mercenary-run Katangan Air Force. Later, IAF made substantial contribution to the peace keeping effort in Somalia and Sierra Leone by undertaking some daring missions. In 2003, IAF was once again called upon by the UN to operate its attack and utility helicopters for wide-ranging operations to control the turbulence in Congo.
The Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) has been afflicted by continuous strife ever since its independence in 1960. Located in Central Africa, it is a large country with a population of around 60 million with nearly 350 African ethnic groups. It is well endowed with natural resources including diamonds, gold and other minerals. Its people, however remain amongst the poorest in the world as the economy is in shambles. A vicious war is on for control of resources between the Government and the rebel forces. Decades of ethnic and civil wars, compounded by invasions have taken a terrible toll. With civil infrastructure and economy collapsed, no rule of law and armed groups terrorizing the country, a humanitarian crisis is prevailing in the country with millions of refugees and displaced people. The UN effort to control the situation was greatly handicapped because of the severe limitations of infrastructure. There is paucity of roads. Undulating terrain carpeted with dense tropical forests is subjected to heavy rainfall, that not only slowed down road transportation but also movement of ground forces. Under these conditions, the Indian Air Force was tasked to shoulder the enormous task of restoring peace and assisting La Peuple Congalis to lead life without constant fear.
The IAC-I normally comprises of five Mi-17 utility helicopters and four Mi-25 attack helicopters. The envisaged roles for the Mi-17 helicopters is observation, recce, search and rescue, casualty evacuation, logistics supply troop insertion, extraction and armed support as and when necessary. They are appropriately named Equatorial Eagles as their span of operational area straddles the equator in the ‘Dark Continent’. The attack helicopters are mainly for deterrence and may be used to provide fire support during heliborne and ground convoys. These helicopters have earned the reputation of being a force to reckon with and their quick response is effective in qualifying hostile intents invariably, the militias retreat promptly, reigning in peace and order in the area. Among the local population, the Mi-25s are known as ‘Henshaw’ the bird that breathes fire.
The IAF contingent has dramatically enhanced the reach and effectiveness of the UN (MONUC) in the ever hostile environment of the Congo. Living up to their motto ‘We support peace and life”, the IAF contingent has consistently kept the rebel’s head down while winning the hearts and minds of the local civilian population. It is not without reason that the UN authorities have rated the Indian Aviation Contingent-I as ‘The best and most exceptional in MONUC’. This set of air warriors also aims to ‘Touch the sky with glory’ in peace keeping.
Posted in Indian Air Force News, Military News - Africa | No Comments »
Tuesday, September 25th, 2007
Work on the ambitious Rohtang tunnel will commence next financial year beginning April, 2008. Disclosing this on a visit to the proposed tunnel site in Manali the Minister of State for Defence Shri MM Pallam Raju said that the project costing over 1,300 crores would be completed by 2013, a year in advance.
Eight joint venture firms, in partnership with a foreign company, have been shortlisted for the project added Lt.General KS Rao, Director-General Border Roads (DGBR). The tenders are under scrutiny with the Defence Ministry and a decision would be taken soon, Shri Raju said. The tunnel, which would be the highest in the world, will make the strategic Manali-Leh highway an all-weather road. It would also reduce the journey between Manali and Sarchu by nearly 50 kms. Presently, road link with Ladakh region remains cut off from the rest of the country for over six months between November and April.
General Rao said the Rohtang tunnel would be wide enough to meet the future needs and even container-trawlers would be able to drive through it. Brigadier JK Narang, Chief Engineer, Project Deepak, gave a detailed presentation to the minister on the occasion
Posted in International Automotive News | No Comments »
Tuesday, September 25th, 2007
The 58th International Astronautical Congress (IAC) began on 25/09/2007 at International convention centre in Hitec City, Hyderabad, India. About 2,000 delegates, including heads of global space agencies, are attending the five-day event.
This is the first time that the IAC is being held here. The congress was inaugurated by Prithviraj Chavan, minister of state in the prime minister’s office (PMO), in the presence of Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister Y.S. Rajasekhara Reddy, Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) chairman G. Madhavan Nair and a host of dignitaries from 45 countries.
With the theme of ‘Touching Humanity: Space for Improving Quality of Life’, the summit will deliberate on various aspects of the global space industry such as space transportation, communication satellites, earth observation, human space flight, exploration of outer space and the planets and space law.
‘The conclave is being held to highlight the market potential for Indian firms and open up India’s capability to the world. It is important for us to set a higher national agenda and encourage public-private partnerships to avoid being left behind,’ Nair said.
Besides seven plenary sessions, a special address and a host of technical sessions over the next five days, the congress is also hosting an international exposition, a business conclave and a young professionals programme, involving about 250 students from the world over, including 50 higher secondary and college students from India.
‘The three-day business conclave, being held as part of the congress, will be addressed by global leaders from aerospace, defence and satellite communication industries,’ an official said.
Indian American astronaut Sunita Williams and former president A.P.J. Abdul Kalam will address the congress and interact with students and delegates during the meet.
Sunita will share the experiences of her six-month sojourn in the International Space State (ISS) with the audience, while her colleague, William Gerstenmaier, associate administrator for space operations of the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA), will talk on the key achievements onboard the space outpost.
The ISS will cross a key milestone in 2010 when it completes construction of this unique facility.
For unwinding after a daylong brain-storming sessions, lectures and inter-active events, the delegates are being treated to cultural programmes, gala dinners and networking opportunities during the congress.
The International Astronautical Federation, the International Academy of Astronautics and the International Institute of Space Law are the co-organisers of the IAC.
Posted in International Aerospace News | No Comments »
Tuesday, September 25th, 2007
The first ever placement fair for Air Warriors who have retired or about to retire from service concluded yesterday, on 23 Sep 07 having turned out to be a roaring success. The placement fair was hosted at Air Force Auditorium, New Delhi on 22 & 23 Sep 07 under the auspices of Air Force Record Office.
More than 48 leading Corporate companies such as ICICI, Godrej, WIPRO, Bajaj Capital, Tata Steel, HCL, Kalinga Commercial, Air India Express, Relcom, Pawan Kans, Ahmedabad Aviation & Aeronautics registered for the fair and over 20,000 cvs were collectively picked up by these companies. It is estimated from the participating companies projections that more than 1500 appointment letters would be issued to the participants within a month. A unique feature of the fair was a workship/seminar on corporate acclimatization conducted for the ex-Air Warriors.
Appreciating the effort the Vice Chief of Air Staff Air Marshal BN Gokhale said “IAF is a potent combatant force and its personnel are trained to deliver against all odds. It is necessary that the Corporate world makes full use of this opportunity”. He also said “Air Warriors during their stay in IAF achieve such versatility in job handling that it is time corporate does not stereo type them in security and administrative duties.”
Mr. Krishnaswamy Ram Kumar, HR Head of ICICI said “here are people (Air Warriors) who have dealt with life and various difficult issues. This is unique opportunity for industry to capitalize. The age does not matter in time where knowledge and information is the mantra”. He also said that ICICI had already recruited 130 ex-air warriors in leading banking process and said that they were very fast to pick up the profession.
Every year about five to six thousand Air Warriors superannuate and approximately equal number of persons joins the IAF. Those who leave the IAF have at least about 15-20 years experience in Flying, Navigation, Air Traffic Controlling, aeronautical engineering, technology management and engineering work experience, education management, finance and logistics management, security, driving, catering etc. This experience would be of colossal use in the corporate world.
Posted in Indian Air Force News | No Comments »
Monday, September 24th, 2007
Kanchan armor is a composite armor also called sandwich armor. During the initial days, India had approached the British to co-develop a composite armor. British armor research was based in British tank research centre on Chobham Common, the reason the generic name Chobham armor for all such type of composite armor. The British were not favorable to the Indian proposal.
Development of a composite armor was earnestly taken up at Armour Design & Development Division at the Defence Metallurgical Research Laboratory (DMRL), Kanchan Bagh, Hyderabad. Like the British name Chobham, Kanchan Armor got its name from Kanchan Bagh.
Kanchan Armor uses the same principle as the Chobham armor, but the composition is different. It has Rolled Homogenous Armor (RHA) and composites. RHA is a type of steel sheet used as protection for the armored vehicles since World War II. Kanchan Armor has a composite panel sandwiched between RHA. The number of layers is decided based on the user requirement.
When a projectile is fired, the armor stops it via compression and de-compression method. As the projectile hits the armor, it faces compression because of the RHA, and then it faces decompression because of the composite. When the projectile passes through several such sandwiched layers, it breaks up the APFDS or HEAT shot. A HESH shot is ineffective against a spaced armor. It definitely will not go through a layered armor.
In 1980’s the Kanchan composite had a composition of ceramic, alumina, fiber glass and some other such materials mixed. The RHA tried out had two thicknesses, i.e. a 350 mm plate and a 315 m plate. However these two plates had the same weight as a 120mm RHA. Hence it is said that Kanchan armor is more volume at same weight. The anti-tank munitions have problems in penetrating denser mass.
This is the time when the Russian Tank T-72 imported by Indian Army could not penetrate the Kanchan Armor protected Arjun Tank , with APFDS at point blank range. Subsequently, the debate took place if the Russians had supplied us with training rounds rather than the actual ammunition. As a side note, in January 2000 at Proof & Experimental Establishment (PXE), Balasore, Arjun tank armor defeated all available HESH and FSAPDS rounds including Israeli FSAPDS rounds.
Back to 1980’s, after the T-72 incident, a 106 mm RCL gun was tried on the Arjun Tank. 106 RCL’s were effective anti-tank weapons those days. It played havoc on enemy tanks in 1971 war. The Kanchan armor defeated that too.
Kanchan armor composition has undergone massive changes since 1980’s. The volume of the RHA has been reduced to lesser mass because of better metallurgy. The composite has evolved too and it does not use the 1980’s technology anymore.
Posted in Defence Research and Development, Opinions and Articles | 1 Comment »
Monday, September 24th, 2007
Rear Admiral (Retd.) T S Ganeshan, Chairman & Managing Director, Garden Reach Shipbuilders & Engineers (GRSE) Ltd., Kolkata, presented a cheque of Rs. 14.76 crore towards dividend for the Financial Year 2006-07 to the Defence Minister Shri A K Antony in New Delhi today. This is in addition to an amount of Rs. 10.00 crore paid as interim dividend on February 20, 2007.
GRSE has declared a record Net Profit of Rs. 120.14 as compared to Rs. 65.33 crore in the previous year – an increase of 83.90%. The company’s net worth has gone up to Rs. 438.16 crore from Rs. 347.06 crore in 2005-06 – an increase of 26.25%.
The government had granted GRSE the status of ‘MINIRATNA CATEGORY -I’ on 05 Sep 06. With recent acquisition of Raja Bagan dockyard from CIWTC, GRSE has drawn up ambitious modernization plan to enhance productivity significantly to meet the growing needs of Indian maritime security needs especially the warships for the Indian Navy and Coast Guard.
GRSE is a profit making Defence Public Sector Unit. It has shown constant growth in the value of production and profits generated over the years. With the increase in business, other ancillary industries have also benefited with orders/employment.
Rear Admiral (Retd.) A K Handa, Chairman and Managing Director of Goa Shipyard Limited (GSL), another public sector company under the Ministry of Defence presented a dividend cheque of Rs. 4,16,26,746 to the Defence Minister Shri A K Antony, here today.
The company has declared a dividend of Rs. 815 lakh equal to 28% of the paid up share capital for the fiscal year 2006-07 against a dividend of RS. 640 lakhs equal to 22% of the paid up capital for the financial year 2005-06. This is in addition Bonus share issued in the ratio of 1:2 on 16th February, 2006. Receiving the Dividend cheque, Defence Minister Shri Antony congratulated GSL for its excellent performance and wished them good luck in the future.
During the financial year 2006-07, the company registered its highest ever Value of Production (VoP) of Rs. 267.07 crore since its inception and earned a operating profit of 36.83 crore as compared to Rs. 9.62 crore last year. The net profit after tax stood at Rs. 40.69 crore in 2006-07 as against Rs. 16.72 crore in the previous year. With a healthy order book position of Rs. 3116 crore, the company is confident of achieving the production target or Rs. 270.99 crore for the fiscal year 2007-08 as per the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) signed by the company with the Government.
The company has bagged Raksha Mantri’s excellence award for “Best Performing Shipyard” for the financial year 2005-06. It was formally conferred the Mini Ratna Category – I status in March 2007.
Posted in Defence Products Manufacturing Companies | No Comments »
Monday, September 24th, 2007
Murli Deora, Minister of Petroleum and Natural Gas returned today from a successful two day visit to Myanmar. He was accompanied by Petroleum Secretary Shri M. S. Srinivasan and MD ONGC Videsh Ltd (OVL) Shri R S Butola. After his arrival at Nay Pyi Taw the new capital of Myanmar, Shri Deora held wide ranging discussions, late in the afternoon yesterday, with his counterpart Brigadier General Lun Thi, Minister of Energy, Myanmar to explore possibilities of enhancing bilateral cooperation in the hydrocarbon sector. They also reviewed the progress achieved so far. Shri Deora invited Brig Gen Lun Thi to visit India to see the Indian capabilities in refining crude oil and training facilities in the oil and natural gas sector.
Brig Gen Lun Thi conveyed his thanks to the Government of India for $20 million Line of Credit offered for Myanmar and added that they have already imported machinery and allied assemblies for revamp of one of their refineries. He requested Shri Deora for another Line of Credit for revamp of their second refinery. Shri Deora assured him of following it up with the External Affairs Ministry. Shri Deora also extended an offer to his Myanmar counterpart for training their oil and gas personnel in the world class training facilities available in India, in both upstream and downstream. Brig. Gen. Lun Thi thanked Shri Deora for this offer and directed his Ministry’s officials to follow this up quickly with the local Indian Mission.
Shri Deora also attended the signing of Production Sharing Contracts (PSCs) for 3 Deep Water exploration Blocks between OVL, and Myanmar Oil and Gas Enterprise (MOGE), a Govt of Myanmar enterprise. Speaking on the occasion, he noted that the signing of these contracts between OVL and MOGE is a happy development and augurs well for expanding the cooperation between two neighbours. He added that the synergies between the two countries need to be harnessed to the full potential for mutual benefit.
PSCs were signed by Shri R S Butola, Managing Director on behalf of OVL and Mr. U, Myint Htay, Managing Director on behalf of MOGE. The blocks have been awarded to OVL on the basis of mutual understanding and cooperation between India and Myanmar in the hydrocarbon sector. All the 3 blocks are believed have good hydrocarbon potential as they lie in proximity to shallow water blocks A-1 & A-3 where OVL is part of the Consortium which is developing the gas find in these two blocks.
OVL has succeeded in acquiring 100% participating interests in these 3 Deep Water Blocks AD-2, AD-3 and AD-9 in Myanmar Offshore. The aerial extent of the blocks AD-2, AD-3 and AD-9 is 8,100sq. km, 9,900sq.km, and 7,800sq.km respectively. Water depth in the block areas ranges from 1500m up to 3000m off the Rakhine coast of Myanmar. The significant features of the PSC include OVL carrying out exploration as per the minimum work commitments spread over the period of 5 years for AD-2 and 7 years for AD-3 and AD-9. In the event of commercial discovery of oil and gas, development and production operations will be conducted under the PSC for 20 years. According to the PSCs total expenditure commitment of OVL for exploration phase is US$ 150million.
Posted in Commodity And Energy | No Comments »
Monday, September 24th, 2007
4th Rajput Battalion, Indian Army, is participating with Indian National Small Arms System (INSAS) rifle in Exercise Yudh Abhyas 07-01, which is in progress at Donnelly Training Area, Alaska. Other weapons they are using are, AK-47, Dragunov SVD59 sniper rifle and MAG 58 machine gun.
Alaska Post reports that Indian soldiers experienced high winds, mountain views and colorful foliage as they conducted training on a range Sept. 12 as part of Exercise Yudh Abhyas.
Soldiers from Arjun Company, 4th Rajput Battalion, Indian Army, confirmed zeros with their weapons on the known-distance range.
“Our company is named Arjun,” said Maj. Akash Karwal, Arjun Co. commander, 4th Rajput, “It is named after a great warrior from mythological wartimes.”
Arjun, which was originally Arjuna, is one of the heroes of the Hindu epic Mahabharata. Arjuna is a central figure in Hindu mythology whose name means “bright,” “shining,” or “silver.”
The soldiers confirmed their zeros at 100 meters with four types of weapons: the Indian National Small Arms System (INSAS) rifle, an AK-47, a Dragunov SVD59 sniper rifle and a MAG 58 machine gun.
1st Lt. Bryan McLane, B Company, 3rd Battalion, 21st Infantry Regiment, explains the different features of his M-4 carbine to Sepoy (Pvt.) Pradeep Singh, a member of the 4th Rajput Battalion, Indian Army. The Indian soldiers are training with members of 3-21st at Donnelly Training Area during Exercise Yudh Abhyas. Photo by Staff Sgt. Matthew MacRoberts/20th PAD
The INSAS rifle, a semi-automatic weapon capable of three-round burst, is produced in India. The 8.14-pound weapon fires 5.56-mm rounds unlike the AK-47, which fires 7.62-mm. Both weapons have the ability to shoot single shots or three-round bursts, but the AK-47 can also fire in fully automatic mode.
“Both are very accurate for hitting targets,” said Capt. Upendre Tilotia, 13th platoon commander, Arjun Co., 4th Rajput.
Tilotia said the weapons ranges in India are similar to the ones in Alaska. He said he felt his soldiers were effective marksmen and he didn’t think it would take them long to confirm their zero.
Soldiers from the 4th Rajput Battalion, Indian Army, confirm zero on their individual weapons at Donnelly Training Area during Exercise Yudh Abhyas 07-01, where they are training with members of 3rd Battalion, 21st Infantry Regiment. Photo by Staff Sgt. Matthew MacRoberts/20th PAD
Once the Indian soldiers completed the training, troops in B Company, 3rd Battalion, 21st Infantry Regiment, went to the range and conducted the same training.
The Exercise Yudh Abhyas 07-01 involves practicing fighting insurgents in Iraq. KTuU TV reported on 21 September that many Iraqi nationals taking part in the combined international exercise of the U.S. Army Alaska and the Indian Army at the Donnelly Training Center.
The Iraqi nationals are a part of the authentic Iraqi settings meant for the training.
Lt. General John M. Brown III, the commanding general of U.S. Army Pacific, said it wasn’t long ago when the United States and India did not work together.
“Both of our nations are involved in counterinsurgency operations. Indian soldiers and U.S. Army soldiers are in combat environments against insurgents and this is exactly the kind of training that both of our military need,” Brown said.
It was just five years ago when Indian paratroopers came over to train with paratroopers at Fort Richardson.
“That was really the beginning of the re-engagement for the U.S. Army and the Indian Army together and in five years we’ve come a long way,” Brown said.
The exercises contain many common Iraqi scenario, like a road side bomb detonating.
Major Akash Karwal with the Indian Army said the real life training is invaluable to U.S. and Indian soldiers.
“The two countries get to know each others tactics, this menace of insurgency is in our country for the last sixty years. So we’ve been dealing with insurgency most of the years in our country. So coming here and doing training tactics with the American Army has been fruitful to us and hopefully fruitful to the American Army too,” Karwal said.
Sgt. Jason Lewton with the U.S. Army said they are sharing their newly gained knowledge with the Indian Army.
“I see them where our army was a little over seven years ago so we’re training them from the experiences we’ve gained and they can help us from a different perspective from their experiences,” Lewton said.
From conquering the language barriers and learning how to react in the most tense war time situations, to continuing to improve the relationship between India and the U.S. and Iraq, the lessons from this exercise benefit everyone involved.
Soldiers from U.S. Army Alaska will be heading to India in a few months for similar training in India.
Posted in Indian Army News | 1 Comment »
Sunday, September 23rd, 2007
The external Rupee debt on account of past military purchases from Russia (USSR) has reduced to USD 1.694 billion as per Indian finance ministry quarterly report released for September 2006. The quarterly estimate for the total Rupee debt for the same period is USD 1.921 billion.
In the 1950s, Soviet credits to India were designated in Rubles, repayable in goods exported by India, and trade was designated in Rupees. Those times all exchange rates were based on the gold standard. When gold exchange standard was abandoned in 1971, India depreciated the Rupee against other currencies without formally depreciating against gold. Moscow was disadvantaged. India agreed to a new deal linking the Ruble to a basket of western currencies. In 1991 Ruble collapsed along with the Soviet Union collapsed, and so did the Ruble. The Rupee-Ruble agreement became unfair to India. If the Rupee depreciated, Russians gained and when the Ruble depreciated, India gained nothing. An agreement was reached in 1993, under which ruble credit was denominated in Rupees and a repayment schedule was drawn up. The agreement provided for an annual repayment of about US $1 billion equivalent in Rupee to Russia over a period of 12 years starting from 1994, with smaller amounts for a further period of 33 years. The Rupee debt funds were to be used by the Russian side to import goods and trade related services from India. Since the official trade between both countries have fallen compared to pre-1991 era, the utilization remained less. Now, the Russians are trying to invest it back in India with a 5 year lock in period.This could include setting up of Indian service centers for the defence products already sold to India.
Posted in General Indian Armed Forces News | No Comments »
Sunday, September 23rd, 2007
Defence Attaches of 30 countries including the United States, Brazil, Greece, the Czech Republic and Saudi Arabia were briefed yesterday on various arrangements relating to the conduct of Military World Games 2007 at Hyderabad and Mumbai. The Games are scheduled to be held from 14 to 21 October, 2007. These Defence Officials were told that preparations for the MWG were going on in full swing and India is fully prepared to host the Games in a befitting manner. DAs of prominent member countries from Asia, Europe, Americas and Africa were thoroughly briefed about all the aspects about the conduct of the games e.g., arrival formalities, reception of their contingents, location of stay, movement in the city and security arrangements. Defence officials of these countries were briefed by senior members of the Military World Games Organising Committee.
Defence Attaches were impressed with the meticulous planning of Organising Committee and reposed full faith in the abilities in the Indian Armed Forces to host the Games.
94 countries have already confirmed their participation for the Games and it is excepted that this figure could cross the 100 mark. More than 5000 sports persons are going to compete in the 13 events in the eight day event. The Games are slated to be biggest ever congregation of countries for any sporting event in India.
Besides sportspersons, several countries have intimated that their Defence Ministers, Chiefs of Armed Forces and top Defence officialswill be coming over to Hyderabad to attend the 4th MWG. Armed Forces are gearing up to host these dignitaries in a befitting manner. A high level protocol committee has been created to look after the complex task of handling so many defence ministers , heads of armed forces besides the Indian VIPS which include President of India and Chiefs of Indian Armed Forces . Defence Ministers of the countries which have already confirmed their participation include Italy, Burundy, Latvia and Slovakia . This is for the first time the Defence Ministers of so many countries are arriving for attend the single event at the same time in India. Ministry of Defence is going to utilise the opportunity to build bonds between Armed Forces of India and these countries.
Posted in General Indian Armed Forces News | No Comments »
Sunday, September 23rd, 2007
ONGC Videsh Limited, the wholly-owned subsidiary of Oil and Natural Gas Corporation Ltd. (ONGC) has been declared winner in 3 offshore exploration blocks in Colombia – 2 blocks in collaboration with Ecopetrol (the National Oil Company of Colombia) and one block in collaboration with Ecopetrol and Petrobras in a bidding round christened the ‘Caribbean Round 2007’ in Columbia. The Agency National of Hydrocarbons of Colombia had offered a total of 13 exploratory blocks - 2 in shallow offshore, 4 in deep water and 7 in transition areas.
The announcement was made in Bogota on 18th September, 2007 in the presence of Minister of Mines Government of Colombia, senior authorities of Colombian energy sector and representatives of various companies.
A total of 11 companies qualified the pre-qualification bid round and 5 companies were declared winners. Some of the international companies that were declared winners are British Petroleum and Amerada Hess Corp besides ONGC Videsh and Petrobras.
ONGC Videsh’s Participating Interest in Block RC – 9 and RC – 10 will be 50% with Ecopetrol, holding another 50%. This is OVL’s first tie up with Ecopetrol in deepwater in Columbia. In block RC -8, OVL‘s participation shall be 40% with Ecopetrol holding 40% and Petrobras, National Oil Company of Brazil holding another 20% Participating Interest. OVL shall be the Operator in Blocks RC- 8 and RC-10.
Speaking on the occasion, Mr. R.S. Sharma, Chairman ONGC said, “Participation in these 3 new blocks in partnership with Ecopetrol and Petrobras is part of our strategy to expand our investment in prospective E&P assets in Latin America”.
Mr. R.S. Butola, Managing Director, OVL added that the award of the blocks fits into OVL’s strategy of developing a balanced portfolio with an appropriate mix of producing, discovered and exploration assets.
It may be recalled that in September 2006, OVL acquired 50% Shares of Omimex de Colombia Ltd. from Texas based Omimex Resources, Inc. along with Sinopec, the company from China as remaining 50% Shareholder. The venture jointly operated by OVL and SINOPEC is currrently producing over 22000 bbls/day with a significant potential to further enhance the production.
Posted in Commodity And Energy | No Comments »
Saturday, September 22nd, 2007
Murli Deora, the Indian Minister of Petroleum and Natural Gas will be leaving on a two day visit to Myanmar, on 23 September,2007. He would be accompanied by Petroleum Secretary Shri M. S. Srinivasan and MD ONGC Videsh Ltd (OVL) Shri R S Butola. After his arrival at Nay Pyi Taw, Myanmar on 23rd September, Shri Deora will meet his counterpart Brigadier General Lun Thi, Minister of Energy, Myanmar to discuss possibilities of enhancing bilateral cooperation in hydrocarbon sector. Shri Deora will also attend the signing of Production Sharing Contracts (PSCs) for 3 Deep Water exploration Blocks between OVL, and Myanmar Oil and Gas Enterprise (MOGE), a Govt of Myanmar enterprise.
OVL succeeded in acquiring 100% participating interests in these 3 Deep Water Blocks AD-2, AD-3 and AD-9 in Myanmar Offshore. The aerial extent of the blocks AD-2, AD-3 and AD-9 is 8,100sq. km, 9,900sq.km, and 7,800sq.km respectively. Water depth in the block areas ranges from 1500m up to 3000m off the Rakhine coast of Myanmar.
Prior to these three blocks, Oil PSUs OVL and GAIl have participated in the exploration activities in A-1 and A-3 blocks in Myanmar. In Block A-1 OVL and GAIL have 20% and 10% Participating Interests respectively. Gas discovery was made in 2004 and 2005 from Shwe and Shwe Phyu in block A1 which is estimated at 3.34 and 0.5 tcf respectively. In Block A-3 also OVL and GAIL have Participating Interests of 20% and 10% respectively. Gas discovery was made in this block in January 2006 and the Consortium has established a gas reserve of 1.52 tcf in the Mya Gas field. The total recoverable reserves of gas from A1 and A3 blocks are estimated to be about 4tcf (final study is in progress). The first gas is anticipated in early part of 2011.
Attempts are being made to acquire oil and gas assets in Myanmar. Currently, total oil and gas production of Myanmar is about 10,000 barrel oil per day (bopd) and 820 Million Standard Cubic Feet Per Day (MMSCFD) respectively. The total oil and gas reserves are estimated at 50 Million Barrel (MMBL) and 10 trillion cubic feet (tcf) respectively. Myanmar Oil and Gas Enterprise, the National Enterprise produces about 10,000bopd and 120 MMSCFD gas from onshore oil and gas fields.
In order to enhance energy security of the country, India is pursuing the option of acquiring equity in oil & gas assets overseas apart from developing our indigenous production. Oil Sector PSU’s and joint ventures have acquired blocks/participating interest in Vietnam, Iraq, Russia, Myanmar, Iran, Libya, Sudan, Syria, Nigeria, Egypt, Qatar, Brazil, Cuba, Colombia, Ivory Cost, Gabon, Yemen and Oman.
Posted in Commodity And Energy | No Comments »
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