India and Tanzania share history and cultural backgrounds as studies show that the Indian subcontinent was part of Africa prior to its drifting apart to become a part of the Asian continent. Taking a step towards renewing relations between the two nations, a high powered delegation from Tanzania visited ONGC’s Institutes at Dehradun and evinced a keen interest in promoting joint ventures in the energy sector.
Deputy Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Energy and Minerals, nine Members of Parliament, Assistant Commissioner for Natural Gas, Ministry of Energy and Minerals, Director for Policy and Planning, Ministry of Energy and Minerals, MD along with a Director of Tanzania Petroleum Development Corporation besides other senior officials of Government of Tanzania were members of the delegation.
In Dehradun, they visited the Subir Raha Oil Museum where D Sar, ED-HOI GEOPIC and DD Misra, GM-HCA received the dignitaries. Dr Sanjay Jain, Head Museum gave a brief overview of the history of oil and the exhibits of the museum.
At KDMIPE, Dr DK Dasgupta, ED-HOI warmly welcomed the guests and organized a interactive session for them. They were given a brief presentation covering ONGC, OVl in general with a focus on R&D Institutes of ONGC.
During the programme members of the Delegation from Tanzania were given an opportunity to raise any queries on relevant aspects of business. They were keen to understand better the source of funding for ONGC as E&P is a capital intensive activity, prospects and programme for gas hydrates, policy for environment conservation in and around the work sites, besides trainings that are being conducted by the institutes where their people could attend and benefit.
Dr DK Dasgupta, EDHOI(KDMIPE), KK Pratap, ED-HOI(IDT) and Kl Meh-rotra, ED-HOI (ONGC-Academy) elaborated on all issues raised in the house to the satisfaction of the visitors.
The visiting dignitaries later were given a firsthand experience of the drilling operation as they witnessed simulation of drilling at the rig in IDT. Impressed by the magnitude of operations undertaken by ONGC they were enthusiastic about visiting actual operational sites of ONGC. KK Pratap, ED-HOI, Dr AK Pandey, GM(Chem) and Mr Dhupar, GM(D) took the visitors around and explained the drilling process.
Expressing profuse gratitude to India and ONGC in specific terms, Ngosi CX Mwihava, Deputy Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Energy and Minerals, United Republic of Tanzania, on behalf of the entire delegation said that though the visit was very short it provided them a valuable insight about the oil and gas industry and hoped this knowledge sharing would continue.
He also informed about his Government’s plan to offer some blocks for international bidding and hoped OVl would participate. The delegation was keen that ONGC help forge stronger ties between the two nations India and Tanzania.