Oil continues to be the heart of energy.
Though companies and countries are exploring exciting prospects like breaking into the code of photosynthesis and coal gasification, it is early days yet for these options. As long as these become viable options, oil and gas will be the motor that drives this industry. These two precious fuels will continue to tilt heavily the annual budget of most countries. These will drive the economies of the world. These will continue to drive the politics within countries, and more so, international politics. In India, this industry has gathered a new momentum after the New Exploration and Licensing Policy came into effect. Only 22 blocks were awarded in the previous 10 years. In the last four years, 91 blocks have been awarded for exploration. Nine fields have been discovered. These include Vasai East Oil Field discovered by ONGC, off the coast of Maharashtra. A gigantic gas field was discovered by Reliance in the first well that it dug off the Andhra Pradesh coast in the Krishna Godavari basin. Cairn Energy discovered one at Barmer, Rajasthan. Niko Resources found a gas field near Surat in Gujarat. ONGC also launched an ultra deep-water campaign called Sagar Samriddhi. Millions of rupees have been pumped to tap major oil and gas fields that lie thousands of meters within. The government also awarded 16 blocks for production of coal bed methane and is keenly developing coal gasification projects. This flurry of activities in the energy sector has thrown up a number of new issues and questions that need an answer and a number of old questions that need new answers. The new impetus of activities in India have also placed it in the global market map that is followed with vested interest by multinational oil companies and many governments. Oil has always been a globalized sector. Shell was a household name in India much before independence. The new process of globalization driven by World Trade Organization has further contracted the industry making each player more sensitive to developments in any part of the world. This proximity and new sensitivity generates new issues and new questions with an increased frequency. On September 6-7 this year, everyone that matters in the energy industry, national and many international delegates will converge at the Grand Hyatt, Mumbai to address the new crop of questions facing the energy industry. Like every year, this year too, this congregation of chairmen, directors and experts from across the world will chart out the issues that face the industry and with the benefit of their experience and expertise put things in perspective. The global event is being inaugurated by ONGC Chairman Subir Raha, who is also the keynote speaker. Among the leading companies participating are British Gas, Schlumberger, J Ray McDermott, Transocean, Siemens, Petronet LNG, Oil India, Indian Oil, Cairn Energy, Essar, Seamec, Petroleum India International, HPCL, GSPC, Baker Atlas, Baker Hughes, Corex (UK), Global Industries (UK) and many more. Around 600 delegates from 15 countries will interact for discussion of technology and business in the petroleum sector. This forum will among other things discuss the status and trends of deregulation, the growth potential of the LNG market, ultra deepwater opportunities, the potential of CBM, the fastest growing sector for gas supply and booming refining and retailing business of oil, investment priorities and upcoming technologies and the game of global mergers and consolidations. IORS 2004: Annual Global Meet of the Oil and Gas Industry September 6 & 7 Grand Hyatt, Mumbai.


Rockwell Automation hosted a two-day ‘Partnership Fair ’ in Mumbai on August 13th and 14th.
Keith Nosbusch, President and CEO of Rockwell Automation, inaugurated the Partnership Fair. This is a strong signal that Rockwell Automation looks at India as one of its most important markets. Mr. Nosbusch said,“This year India has grown at over 30%, the fastest growth recorded by any country, beating even China.” Mr. India is Rockwell Automation’s Fastest Growing Business in Asia: Hosted ‘Partnership Fair’ in Mumbai Nosbusch expects this strong growth rate to continue. The Partnership Fair was based on Rockwell Automation’s new concept of collaborating with the best market intermediaries to provide the best of Industrial Automation Solutions. Working closely with OEMs and end users, Rockwell Automation along with its partners showcased new solutions for food, beverages, packaging and pharmaceutical businesses. The fair highlighted‘partnering’ with OEMs, system integrators, distributors and encompass partners, some of whom had come from abroad. This learning fair would help manufacturers and OEMs achieve global consistency,