No Respite for ONGC, OIL
The outlook for crude oil prices has darkened once again after a meeting of Organisation of Petroleum Exporting Countries (Opec) and non-Opec members failed to reach an agreement on production freeze. Even if some agreement had been reached, it is debatable whether a mere freeze at current levels of production would have dramatically altered the fortunes of global oil markets. “Still, a production freeze would have brought some discipline in the markets, which would have ensured that the demand supply rebalancing expected by second half 2016 (mainly as US production declines) would have happened,” said Nitin Tiwari, analyst at Antique Stock Broking Ltd. The uncertainty regarding the rebalancing of oil markets would now increase. That’s obviously bad news for state-run upstream oil companies—Oil and Natural Gas Corp. Ltd (ONGC) and Oil India Ltd. As expected, shares of these companies have underperformed the S&P BSE Oil & Gas index in the last one year. Data from Bloomberg shows that ONGC’s and Oil India’s one-year forward price-to-earnings ratio stands at about 10 times and 8.4 times, respectively. Sure, Oil India’s valuations seem relatively attractive. But then, as the chart alongside shows, Oil India has traded at lower valuations than ONGC. According to analysts, lower liquidity in the Oil India stock is one reason for investors ascribing comparatively lower valuations. Also, Oil India’s production is concentrated in the North-East where blockades and political disturbances have often adversely affected production. In a note to clients in February, Arya Sen, analyst at Jefferies India Pvt. Ltd, pointed out that the management commentary seems to suggest that natural decline in many of its mature fields is not being compensated by workovers, EORs (enhanced oil recoveries) and contribution from new and marginal fields. Workover refers to techniques used to improve the productivity of oil wells that have produced for some time. For the nine-month period ended December, Oil India’s crude production declined 5% year-on-year. “While the management expects production to stabilize around the current level of 3.2 million ton in FY17, we remain concerned about medium to long-term prospects given the natural decline in its core asset,” added Sen. So it all boils down to higher prices. Opec will meet again in June. But for now, in the near-term, there is little to suggest a stronger crude environment.
Progress on ease of doing construction business in Delhi and Mumbai reviewed
he three Municipal Corporations of Delhi have reported substantial progress in respect of ensuring single window clearences for construction projects in the stipulated 30 days time. Shri Rajiv Gauba, Secretary (Urban Development) and Shri Ramesh Abhishek, Secretary (Department of Industrial Policy and Promotion) today reviewed progress towards enhancing ease of doing business in Delhi and Mumbai with all the concerned agencies. They appreciated the 4-page Common Application Form introduced by the MCDs of North, South and East for enabling single window clearnces aimed at enhancing the ease of doing construction business in the national capital. It was further informed that while the common form enabling online approvals by other agencies like Delhi Fire Services, Delhi Urban Arts Commission, National Monuments Authority, applicants may be required to furnish even much less information if approvals of such agencies are not required. Appreciating Airports Authority of India, National Monuments Authority etc for coming out with Color Coded Maps empowering respective urban local bodies to accord approvals, Shri Rajiv Gauba directed all the concerned to make it clear by explaining in details areas exempted for obtaining their approvals and otherwise. The MCDs have reported that 10 agencies including DUAC, Heritage Conservation Committee, Delhi Fire Services, Delhi Jal Board etc have already been integrated with the Common Application Form thereby doing away with the need for the applicant to separately approach these agencies for no objection certificates. Integration of Airports Authority of India into the online process will be ensured this week and tree cutting approvals by the end of this month. It was decided in the meeting that Delhi Government would be requested to direct DISCOMs to ensure necessary approvals within 15 days of receiving applications. Shri Rajiv Gauba suggested that with the introduction of Common Application Form for construction projects, urban local bodies should stop receiving applications in the old format. Officials of Mumbai , who participated in the review through video conference, have also reported substantial progress and assured that total integration would be ensured by the end of April. Municipal Commissioners of urban local bodies of Delhi, representatives of other concerned agencies and senior officials of Ministry of Urban Development and DIPP participated in the review meeting.
HPCL plans $3.8 billion refinery investment to lift capacity by two-thirds
Hindustan PetroleumBSE 2.19 % Corp plans to invest around $3.8 billion to ramp up its refining capacity by two-thirds this decade, as the country’s oil demand soars and to meet cleaner fuel standards, a company official told Reuters. Fuel demand in India – the world’s third-biggest oil consumer – is rising at its fastest clip in more than a decade, buoyed by Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s manufacturing push and as an expanding middle class buys more cars. State-run Hindustan Petroleum (HPCL) aims to raise its capacity to process about 500,000 barrels per day (bpd) of crude by investing around 250 billion rupees ($3.76 billion), refineries head, B. K. Namdeo, said in an interview. HPCLBSE 2.19 % aims to boost the capacity of its Mumbai refinery to 190,000 bpd by July 2019 from 130,000 bpd, while the Vizag refinery in India’s south will ramp up to 300,000 bpd from 166,000 bpd by July 2020, he said. “We will de-bottleneck the capacity of the two CDUs (crude distillation units) at Mumbai and replace a 46,000 bpd CDU at Vizag with a new 180,000 bpd crude units,” Namdeo said. Alongside the expansion, HPCL will also revamp its gasoline and diesel production units to meet rules on producing cleaner fuels from 2020. NEW SUPPLIES Namdeo said HPCL, which traditionally relies on Middle Eastern crude, had for the first time signed a term contract with Nigeria’s national oil company, NNPC, to buy 32,000 bpd of oil this fiscal year ending March 31. Since HPCL does not process all the grades offered by NNPC, it has entered into a swap agreement with trader Vitol, he said, without specifying the terms. HPCL, which had halted Iranian oil imports in 2012 after western sanctions, is now looking to buy 20,000 bpd from the Middle East country. But Namdeo said obstacles remained even after sanctions targeting Iran’s nuclear programme were lifted in January. “Insurance and banking issues have to be resolved still and there is no clarity on them (yet),” he said. HPCL was considering using Iranian oil to replace some of the Basra crude it buys under an optional contract with Iraq’s oil marketing firm, SOMO, and Total, he said. HPCL has an annual deal to buy 65,000 bpd of Basra from SOMO and about 25,000 bpd of Basra and UAE’s Murban oil from Total with an option to raise the quantities. “We are maximising bitumen production and cutting fuel oil so for that we need heavy oil,” he said. HPCL has renewed its contract to buy 50,000 bpd from Saudi Arabia and 20,000 bpd from Abu Dhabi National Oil Co (ADNOC), he said, adding it also has an optional contract to buy 20,000 bpd from Kuwait. ($1 = 66.4240 Indian rupees)
Collapse in crude price making it difficult for ONGC Videsh to keep positive cash flow
The crude oil price collapse has made the job of ONGC Videsh executives in dealing with partners across several countries harder as the firm strains to keep costs lower and cash flow positive. ONGC Videsh, the overseas arm of state-run Oil and Natural Gas Corporation, has stakes in 36 oil and gas assets in 17 countries, requiring it to deal with a diverse range of partners with interests that may not always converge. ONGC is mostly a junior partner in its overseas fields, with national oil companies of the respective countries or large private companies mostly in the lead. This further necessitates a pro-active role for the firm to make sure its views are heard and accepted. “We need to balance multiple interests,” said PK Rao, director (operations) at ONGC Videsh. The partners’ interests vary on several issues ranging from investment to production plan and to whom the service contracts are awarded. “When oil prices are high, it doesn’t matter. But with low oil prices, it is important to convince partners on many things,” said Rao. As the operations chief, Rao travels the world through the year, figuring out the dynamics of the global oil and gas market, comprehending the nuances of specific countries in which the company’s blocks are located and persistently negotiating with partners for better terms. “That courage we should have to tell them what’s wrong. If we don’t agree with the budget, we tell them and they would revise it,” said Rao. With low oil prices, every penny counts and all decisions must be closely watched, he said. Oil and gas prices have plunged to about a third in the past two years. The Brent crude was trading at about $41 a barrel on Monday. In 2015-16, ONGC Videsh produced 8.9 million metric tonne of oil equivalent (mmtoe), compared to 8.87 mmtoe in the previous year. The output is expected to marginally slip to 8.4 mmtoe in 2016-17 on falling production at ageing fields. This, however, doesn’t include the acquisitions such as Vankor fields, whose contribution can dramatically boost the company’s total output. “The company’s cash flow should not go negative. Rs 100-crore loss is always more visible than Rs 2,000-crore profit,” said Rao. ONGC Videsh continues to invest in projects where cash flow can be maintained, he said.
Air India chairman joins rodent watch
After the frequent grounding of its aircraft due to rodents, Air India chairman Ashwani Lohani carried out an inspection at Delhi airport and directed the staff to ensure strict maintenance and cleanliness of the hi-lift trucks used by catering companies. Also, staff of the government-owned airline will be restrained from eating meals in the ramp area (where the aircraft is parked during boarding). “We have also requested Delhi International Airport Ltd to provide space for a staff canteen,” said Lohani. On Saturday, an AI Boeing 787 on the Melbourne-Delhi flight was diverted to Singapore, after a rat was spotted on board. The plane was fumigated in Singapore and passengers flown to India on another flight. This was the third instance of grounding of an AI aircraft due to rodents. Rats were also spotted on an aircraft between Birmingham and Delhi, and while passengers were boarding a Frankfurt-bound flight at Delhi. Airline staff are advised to take immediate action to clean and fumigate the aircraft on sighting of a rodent.This is done for safety reasons, as rats can mess with cables and wiring inside the aircraft. Staff also keep rat traps (called glue traps) in the aircraft cargo hold whenever a rat is spotted. Till a few years earlier, AI used to fumigate aircraft with methyl bromide if a rat was seen but its use has been discontinued, as it is highly toxic.
RSS seeks minister’s help in ‘kirpan at airports’ issue
Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh’s Sikh wing Rashtriya Sikh Sangat (RSS) has apprised the Union civil aviation minister Mahesh Sharma that Amritdhari (baptised) Sikh officials and employees working at international airports were being stopped from wearing their kirpan (small sword) citing an international treaty about security. It told the minister that Article 25 of Indian Constitution granted the right to Amritdhari Saikhs to carry their articles of faith and the Union government had not framed any law or rules barring kirpans. A delegation of the Sangat, led by its president Gurcharan Singh Gill, met aviation minister Sharma on Monday and demanded his intervention in the issue. The delegation said kirpan-carrying Sikh officials and employees were being barred from wearing it on the basis of a international treaty. “We told the minister that the Article 25 of Indian Constitution gave the right to the Sikhs wear the kirpan. This issue was not just of sentiments of Sikhs but also of their fundamental right. Even after assassination of then Prime Minister Indira Gandhi there was no bar on Sikh officials or employees wearing this article of faith,” said a statement issued by RSS national secretary Avtar Singh Shastry.
India Is The World’s Fastest-Growing Aviation Market – And This MBA Wants A Piece Of It
The Indian aviation industry is taking off. In 2015, domestic traffic soared by more than 20% while international flights increased by over 7%, according to a KPMG study. By 2020, India will become the world’s third largest aviation market after the US and China. Its airports could carry as many as 370 million passengers per year. Atishay Jain is a high-flying MBA student at the George Washington University School of Business, determined to break into the world’s fastest growing aviation market. First, he wants experience working for a major commercial airline. Then, he wants to start his own. Prior to his MBA, Atishay worked for his family business exporting paper and in auditing at KPMG in Mumbai, before getting his first taste of the aviation industry in a business development role at Jet Airways’ frequent flier program JetPrivilege. Competition in his native Indian market is fierce and international airlines are getting involved. Jet Airways partnered with the UAE’s Etihad Airways to secure over 20% of the Indian aviation market and keep up with its big rival airlines, Air India and IndiGo. Yet Atishay is confident that an MBA in the US, is a one-way ticket to success.
Alibaba financial affiliate valued at $60 bn: reports
China’s top internet finance company, e-commerce giant Alibaba’s affiliate Ant Financial, could start the process of going public this year, reports said Monday, with the firm’s latest fundraising valuing it at $60 billion. Ant Financial Services Group, which owns and operates the Paypal-like service Alipay, has met the Chinese listing requirement of three years profitability, Bloomberg News cited unidentified sources as saying. It is planning to list on the Shanghai stock exchange, they said, and could become China’s biggest initial public offering (IPO) since 2010. Ant declined to “comment on market speculations”. Partly owned by Alibaba founder Jack Ma, Ant Financial also runs China’s largest money market fund and provides financial services focussed on serving small companies. It is currently seeking private funding of $3.5 billion, Bloomberg reported, valuing it at around $60 billion. None of China’s biggest Internet firms are quoted on its domestic exchanges, “so it could enjoy a significant premium in value if it lists in the country”, Li Muzhi, a Hong Kong-based analyst at Arete Research Searches told Bloomberg News. “A lot of the potential retail investors are also Ant Financial’s users,” the analyst added. Alibaba’s Taobao platform is estimated to have more than 90 percent of the consumer-to-consumer market in China, while Alipay handles around 80 percent of online payments in China. Last week the companies announced a joint $1.25 billion investment in an online food delivery firm, the latest in a series of acquisitions as Alibaba diversifies its activities from consumer-to-consumer sales to video streaming and print media. On Monday Alibaba’s movie-making division said it signed deals with Paramount Pictures to invest in two new films, Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Out of the Shadows and Star Trek Beyond. Alibaba also just announced a $1.0 billion investment in a leading online shopping platform in Southeast Asia, Lazada.
India Inc to hire more but pay moderately: Report
India Inc is expected to hire more people but pay moderately, with the average salary hike this fiscal likely to range between 11-13 per cent across industries and functions, says a TeamLease report. According to the staffing services firm, the Indian job market is showing signs of maturity and industries are getting smarter at rewarding talent. The TeamLease Jobs and salary primer report 2016-17 said that unlike last year’s universal double digit salary growth, only 42 per cent of profiles will witness a significant increment in pay packets this fiscal. The average salary hike will range between 11-13 per cent across industries and functions, it said. “The current stagnancy in salary growth is more of a course correction. The renewed focus on talent acquisition coupled with improvement in business scenario, will bring back the buoyancy in reward and compensation structure,” TeamLease Services Senior Vice President Rituparna Chakraborty said. Sector-wise, information technology, agriculture and agrochemicals, FMCG, FMCD, healthcare and pharma, hospitality, retail and telecommunications are likely to see salary growth rates upwards of 11 per cent. A city-wise analysis shows that Delhi, Bangalore, Pune, Mumbai, Hyderabad and Chennai are prominent on the scale of high increments. As per the report, salaries in the Blue Collar domain see a steep rise for select profiles, with employers wanting to reward and retain specialized skills. In the power and energy sector (electrician, supervisor) and in the hospitality space (gym instructor, housekeeping) are cases where blue collar job profiles have garnered lofty salary increments this year. The unified salary report covers 15 key industry verticals and nine cities. Salaries benchmarked in this document are mostly those pertaining to junior to mid-level profiles.
Trade in fake goods has worsened to almost half a trillion dollars: OECD
Counterfeited and pirated goods accounted for up to 2.5 per cent of world trade, or as much as $461 billion, significantly damaging companies and state coffers, the Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) said on Monday. The trade in fake products such as Louis Vuitton bags or Nike shoes has also worsened in the past decade, with a previous OECD study in 2008 estimating it at up to 1.9 per cent of world imports or $200 billion. The impact of counterfeiting is greater for rich countries – where most of the companies making the highly desirable branded goods are based – with the European Union importing up to 5 per cent of fakes in 2013, or as much as $116 billion. The Paris-based think-tank said China appeared as the largest producer of counterfeited products, but that the intellectual property rights of Chinese companies had also been frequently infringed. The OECD cited the post-financial crisis revival in trade, the emergence of globalised value chains and booming e-commerce as reasons for the rise in pirated goods trade since 2008.