UP government discriminating in giving power connections, Piyush Goyal says
Union Power Minister Piyush Goyal on Wednesday accused the Samajwadi Party government in Uttar Pradesh of providing power connections to members of “one community” in the state where assembly elections are underway. He said BJP MP from Mooradabad Sarvesh Kumar Singh had alleged that the state government was giving power connections to people from a “particular community” and denying it to others in some areas of his constituency. When the minister asked for a report from the state government, it denied discrimination. But the MP then approached the Prime Minister who directed the Power Ministry to send a high level committee to investigate. “The committee in its report said there were several areas in Mooradabad where there was discrimination in giving power connections … This is a serious problem,” Goyal told reporters while repying to questions in this regard. He claimed that later many other public representatives made similar complaints about their areas facing such problems in Uttar Pradesh. Responding to a poser on the power situation in Varanasi, Goyal said data provided by an NGO, which monitors 300 towns and cities, shows that several areas in the Prime Minister’s constituency face 8 to 10 hour-long power cuts. This, he said, belies the claims of chief minister Akhilesh Yadav that Varanasi gets 24 hours of power supply. Earlier, the Prime Minister had accused the UP government of discriminating in power supply on religious grounds. Goyal claimed that since August 2016, the state government had stopped sharing information regarding quantum of power supplied to different feeders in the state. “I think they stopped providing information as their conscience was not clean. Just when the elections were round the corner, they announced that they are providing 24 hours of power, including to Varanasi,” he said. Dennis Rodman Jersey
More than 100,000 litres of petrol stolen from Mathura Refinery pipeline
Discovery of theft of a massive amount of petrol from a pipeline of the Mathura Refinery has sparked investigation into what police said was a highly organised racket. While the Indian Oil Corporation has estimated the amount of petrol stolen at 1 lakh litres in February, investigators said the racket had been going on since September last year and the actual amount could be much higher. The oil pilferage came into light on the night of February 16 when, during patrolling, refinery guards found an oil truck parked near a pipeline which supplies refined petroleum to Jalandhar. Mathura Refinery manager Virender Kumar filed an FIR against unidentified men at the highway police station in Mathura and mentioned an estimated “100 kilo litres” (1 lakh litres) had been siphoned off so far. “A trench was found to have been dug at the spot, which is 9.1 km from the refinery complex. The thieves were siphoning the petrol from the high-pressure pipe network. Digging a trench around the pipeline and then stealing oil from the pipe in this manner is the work of a team of experts. Without proper knowledge of oil pipelines, this sort of thing can’t be done safely,” Kumar told TOI. “Our initial assessment is that close to 1 lakh litres was stolen on the night of February 16, but since the racket seems to have been going on for months, we believe the loss is much higher. The actual figures will be arrived at after the plant at Bijwasan, near the Kapashera border, confirms to us about the amount of oil they have received over this period,” Kumar added. Mahesh Kumar Mishra, deputy inspector general of police of Agra zone said, “There is a group of nearly 17 men including members of the oil mafia, policemen, refinery staff and local labourers, who are involved in this oil pilferage. They have been active since September last year. Till now we have arrested four men and have come across at least 10 more names.” A prominent businessman of the area who owns several petrol pumps and is suspected to be involved in the oil mafia is also being investigated, police officials said. The apprehended men have been identified as Ram Hari, Ravi Chaudhary and Tarvenderjit Singh, who is a petrol pump owner in Agra. They have been booked under relevant sections of the Petroleum and Mineral Pipelines Act, Prevention of Damage to Public Property Act, Explosive Substances Act, Essential Services Amendment Act and the Indian Penal Code. “Three men, identified as Chetan, Gema and Ravi alias Viddhi from Faridabad were called to dig the trench and help in siphoning the oil,” officials added. Anton Forsberg Authentic Jersey
Sikkim joins UDAY scheme; to get Rs 356 crore benefit
Sikkim has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Centre to become the 22nd state to join government’s power distribution revival scheme Ujjwal Discom Assurance Yojana (UDAY) and it is likely to derive a net benefit of Rs 356 core. The state will gain from the scheme by way of cheaper funds, reduction in AT&C losses and transmission losses, interventions in energy efficiency etc during the period of turnaround. The reduction in AT&C losses and transmission losses to 15 per cent and 3.50 per cent respectively is likely to bring additional revenue of around Rs. 328 crores, an official release said. “AT&C losses and transmission losses would be brought down through compulsory distribution transformer metering, consumer indexing and GIS mapping of losses, upgrade/change transformers, meters etc., smart metering of high-end consumers, feeder audit etc., besides eliminating the gap between cost of supply of power and realisation,” the release said. Demand side interventions in UDAY such as usage of energy-efficient LED bulbs, agricultural pumps, fans and air-conditioners and efficient industrial equipment through PAT (Perform, Achieve, Trade) would help in reducing peak load, flatten load curve and thus help in reducing energy consumption in the State of Sikkim. The gain is expected to be around Rs 25 crores. “While efforts will be made by the power distribution department of the state to improve their operational efficiency, and thereby reduce the cost of supply of power, the central government would also provide incentives to the state government for improving power infrastructure in the state and for further lowering the cost of power,” the release said. The release further said, with improved efficiency, the state power department would be in a better position to borrow funds at cheaper rates for power infrastructure development/improvement in the state. Malcolm Subban Authentic Jersey
NTPC’s total installed capacity increases to 48,143 MW
India’s largest power generator NTPC Ltd’s total installed capacity has increased to 48,143 Megawatt with the commissioning of its 115 MW Bhadla solar power project. NTPC, which contributes nearly 24 per cent of the country’s total power generation, has plans to set up 10,000 MW renewable projects by 2022. The company now has 19 coal based, seven gas based, 10 solar PV, one hydro and nine subsidiaries or joint venture power stations. NTPC currently has capacity of over 23,000 MW under implementation at 23 locations across the country including 4,300 MW being undertaken by joint venture and subsidiary companies. First wind power project of NTPC- Rojmal wind energy project 50 MW is being set up in the State of Gujarat. Recently, the first coal rake of NTPC’s Pakri-Barwadih coal mine at Hazaribagh was flagged-off making it a fully integrated company. So far in this financial year, NTPC’s thermal stations clocked a plant load factor (PLF) of 77.72 per cent as against national PLF of 59.64 per cent. NTPC has a vision to be the world’s leading power company, by becoming become 130 GW company by 2032 with Non fossil fuel based capacity of 30 per cent. Lance Stephenson Authentic Jersey
Exxon revises down oil and gas reserves by 3.3 billion barrels
U.S. oil major Exxon Mobil Corp has revised down its proved crude reserves by 3.3 billion barrels of oil equivalent as a result of low oil prices throughout 2016, a company filing showed on Wednesday. The de-booking includes the entire 3.5 billion barrels of bitumen reserves at the Kearl oil sands project in northern Alberta, operated by Imperial Oil, a Calgary-based company in which Exxon has a majority share. It comes a day after ConocoPhillips Corp de-booked more than a billion barrels of its oil sands bitumen reserves, citing weak global crude prices. In total Exxon has 20 billion barrels of oil equivalent at year-end 2016, the Securities Exchange Commission filing said. The reduction reflects the number of barrels of oil equivalent that were now deemed uneconomic due to lower crude prices. In addition to the Kearl volumes, another 800 million barrels of oil equivalent in North America failed to qualify as proved reserves. However the reductions were partly offset by Exxon adding 1 billion barrels of new oil and gas reserves in the United States, Kazakhstan, Papua New Guinea, Indonesia and Norway. Under SEC rules Exxon and other U.S.-listed companies report reserves based on the average crude price on the first day of each calendar month during the year. Benchmark crude prices in 2017 have so far been higher than in 2016, meaning some of the volumes could be rebooked as proved reserves if these levels hold. Jarius Wright Jersey
Norway oil companies raise 2017 investment forecasts -survey
Norway’s oil companies have increased their 2017 investment plans in the last three months, signalling a smaller-than-expected contraction for the industry, a survey by the statistics office showed on Thursday. Investments in oil and gas extraction and pipeline transport were still expected to fall for the third year in a row as companies cut the spending after oil prices fell by more than 50 percent over the last two-and-a-half years. The country’s oil companies now plan to invest 149.4 billion crowns ($17.87 billion) next year in oil and gas extraction and pipeline transport, 1.9 percent more than the 146.6 billion crowns seen last November but down from 163.3 billion in 2016. “The increase is mainly due to higher estimates for field development, fields on stream and shutdown and removal,” Statistics Norway said in a statement. The numbers were helped by some removal projects being postponed from the fourth quarter to 2017, it added. The 2017 forecast should be viewed as positive news for the economy, Nordea Markets economist Erik Bruce said, adding it was probably 4-5 percent ahead of the central bank’s forecast when measured in inflation-adjusted terms. “It’s an argument in favour of the central bank lifting its interest rate path projections at the March meeting,… but not to the point of raising rates.” he added. SEB economist Erica Blomgren also said the survey was positive for the economy. “The central bank’s forecast (for 2017) may turn out to be too pessimistic,” she added. The Norwegian central bank said in December it expected to keep interest rates steady at a record low 0.5 percent in the years ahead, but added the probability of a rate cut was greater than the chance of a hike. Over the last two years oil and gas investments contracted by 27 percent, after rising by 70 percent from 2010-2014 when high and relatively stable oil prices supported new developments and high drilling activity offshore Norway. The Norwegian oil and gas industry’s share of gross domestic product (GDP) contracted to 12 percent in 2016 from 25 percent at its peak in 2008. Steve Grogan Womens Jersey
Modi government to launch first major oilfields auction in two months
The Modi government is planning to launch its first major auction of oilfields within the next two months under the revamped Hydrocarbon Exploration Licensing Policy (HELP) worked out by the oil ministry. This would also be India’s first oil blocks licensing round since 2010 when acreages were awarded in such an auction under the then applicable New Exploration Licensing Policy. Significantly, the bidding round would be conducted through the newly worked out Open Acreage Licensing Policy (OALP) that will allow interested firms to bid for blocks of their choice at any time of the year. A key highlight of the process would be the simultaneous launch of National Data Repository (NDR) a comprehensive database of the country’s key sedimentary basins that will provide the bidders data on contract areas that will be bid out. “NELP is history. We will formally launch the new bidding process and also the National Data Repository within a month or two. The draft NDR has already been submitted to the ministry by the Directorate General of Hydrocarbons (DGH),” a senior official in the know of the blueprint of the entire plan told ETEnergyWorld. He also informed the ministry has tasked accounting and consultancy firm PwC to work on the details of the bid document for OALP. The oil ministry is also working on a suitable regime of incentives for Exploration and Production (E&P) companies to motivate them to increase production under HELP. “NDR, OALP and the attractive clauses of HELP will transform the E&P scenario in India. It will help in ramping up production and incentivize investments in the sector,” the official said. The next round of auction under HELP will follow the just-concluded bidding for Discovered Small Fields (DSF) under which 31 oil blocks are to be awarded to around two dozen mostly small-sized firms. The HELP regime is expected to cut down delays in development of blocks and legal disputes with companies because of its revenue share methodology, the ministry believes. Under HELP, an upstream player will be allowed to explore both conventional and unconventional oil and gas resources including Coal Bed Methane, Shale gas and oil and gas hydrates under a single license. The new policy also stipulates a differential structure of royalty rates based on the depth of the field. The new policy and the upcoming auctions are part of the ministry’s effort to achieve the target of cutting down India’s import dependence for energy by 10 per cent by 2022 set by Prime Minister Narendra Modi Darius Leonard Authentic Jersey
Petroleum and Natural Gas Regulatory Board becomes dysfunctional due to lack of replacements for retiring members
Lack of replacements for the retiring members in the past one and a half years has left Petroleum and Natural Gas Regulatory Board (PNGRB), the nation’s downstream regulator, with just one member, making the board dysfunctional that can potentially delay the latest round of award of rights to build pipeline in eight districts. The board, formed under an Act of 2006, comprises a chairperson, a member (legal) and three other members appointed by the central government. Chairperson S Krishnan retired in August 2015 while three other members—PK Bishnoi, Kiran Kumar Jha and Subhash Chandra Batra (member-legal) —have retired in the past six months. Basudev Mohanty is the only serving member on the board now. The board decides by a majority and its decisions don’t become invalid due to any vacancy, according to the Act. But since the quorum requires three members, the board can’t meet and decide on anything. “This has impaired the working of the board and created a regulatory vacuum,” said a source with direct knowledge of the regulator’s functioning. The government had last year advertised for the position of PNGRB member but there is no clarity on its outcome. The oil ministry didn’t respond to ET’s email query on what it was doing to deal with these vacancies, and if there was a plan to replace PNGRB by another regulator for the energy sector. PNGRB has a few other vacancies as well, including those of key advisors, for a long time, constraining its functioning, according to sources. PNGRB’s job is to regulate the refining, transport and marketing of petroleum products, ensure enough supply across the country, protect consumer interest, foster fair trade, and authorise companies that would build and operate fuel pipelines. The board has the power of a civil court and a bench comprising member (legal) and one or more members nominated by the chairperson decides on disputes arising among the downstream companies or with outsiders. The absence of members has practically suspended this function of the board, said a source. Another effect of vacancies would be a delayed decision on the award of rights in the eight round to build and operate city gas networks in eight districts in Haryana, Goa, Puducherry, Uttar Pradesh and Maharashtra. PNGRB had invited bids in November and is accepting applications until February 23, following which the bids are to be examined and successful bidders awarded. Another source said many other routine activities such as consultations with stakeholders on various proposals are unaffected due to vacancies. Only when a final decision has to be taken that the board is required, he said. Cordarrelle Patterson Jersey
India can be much larger producer, consumer of natural gas
India has the potential to become a much larger producer and consumer of natural gas by 2022 when it is expected to surpass China in terms of population, a first of its kind Congressional report on India’s natural gas said today. “India’s natural gas plans have implications for a number of issues in which Congress has expressed an interest,” the bipartisan and independent Congressional Research Service (CRS) said in the report. The CRS noted that India could see greater demand for energy with its population expected to be around 1.4 billion people by 2022, making it the world’s most populous country. “India has the potential to become a much larger producer and consumer of natural gas by 2022,” it said. Issues of interest include prospects for US hydrocarbon exports, investments by US energy companies, Indian investments in US natural gas production, India’s ability to meet its international commitments to reduce greenhouse gas emissions to combat climate change and India’s plans for integrating itself into the growing South Asian energy market, the report said. The independent research wing of the US Congress brings out periodic reports on issues of interest to American lawmakers so that they can make informative decisions. However, the reports are not considered to be official documents of the Congress. In its 19-page report, the CRS said in the mid-2000s, Members of both houses of Congress expressed interest to formalise closer energy ties between the United States and India, and a legislation was introduced. The legislation was not enacted into law. However, the executive branch has implemented programmes to further improve the energy partnership between the two nations, it said. India’s current assessment of total reserves resources that are economically and technically viable under existing market conditions are estimated to represent less than one per cent of the global natural gas, the report said. As India attempts to shift away from coal and oil over the coming decades, natural gas production, especially from offshore resources, is seen as a way to increase domestic supply, it noted. Combined with improving infrastructure for imported LNG, India could become a bigger natural gas consumer in the future, the report said. CRS said in the past decade, India has incentivised foreign access to its upstream sector as a way to increase domestic production. Some of India’s energy companies are also investing more in US energy projects and have signed contracts to import US LNG, it said. LKJ ANB UZM ANB Sonny Jurgensen Authentic Jersey