Petroleum minister calls for increasing domestic production of oil and gas

The Union Petroleum and Natural Gas minister Dharmendra Pradhan has stressed the need to increase domestic production of oil and gas through process and technical improvements, besides augmented  exploratory coverage. Speaking at the ‘Make in India’ event in Mumbai yesterday, he said that the government is committed towards creating a conducive business environment through better policies and investment opportunities.

A major highlight in the week-long event was the sectoral seminar on ‘Opportunities in Oil & Natural Gas,’. All the oil marketing companies, as well as those in the upstream and midstream sector, are showcasing the investments planned for increasing manufacturing activity in the country, in the event.

Further, Dharmendra Pradhan also met the chief secretary of Odisha in Mumbai on the sidelines of Make in India exhibition. The two sides discussed a roadmap to develop downstream petrochemical industry in and around the seaport town, Paradip, which will be supported by the 15 MMTPA Paradip refinery. It was agreed that Indian Oil Corporation should adhere to the timelines for development of the polypropylene plant and other projects which are at various stage of implementation.