Oil & Natural Gas Corporation has
withdrawn from two major projects in Andhra Pradesh, according to unconfirmed
reports. It is learnt that the oil major will not pursue the Kakinada SEZ
project and the 7.5 million tpa export-oriented petroleum refinery in Andhra
Pradesh, which were to be implemented by its subsidiary, Mangalore Refinery &
Petrochemicals.
The two projects, together costing
Rs.9,000 crore, have been withdrawn following a saturation of petroleum refining
capacity on the east cost that has been brought about by expansion programmes of
Indian Oil Corporation (Paradip, Orissa) and Hindustan Petroleum Corporation (Vizag,
Andhra Pradesh), among others.
For ONGC, this is the second instance
of withdrawing from petroleum refining projects. In September 2006, ONGC decided
against pursuing the 7.5 million tpa Barmer petroleum refinery in Rajasthan that
was supposed to be the first such project in the landlocked state.
Also See:
ONGC deserts
Rajasthan refinery project (05-Sep-06)
Mega plans of ONGC
(17-Apr-06)