GSPC (Gujarat State Petroleum Company) in India has started to prepare a US$ 6 Billion (E4.7 Billion, £3.2 Billion) listing on BSE (Bombay Stock Exchange). This move by GSPC was followed by the news that Cairn India – British owned oil group – is planning for an IPO (Initial Public Offering) of 30% of the business in Bombay in December this year (2006). Cairn is targeting to raise US$ 620 Million.
In November’s (2006) first week GSPC appointed London bankers at US, Citigroup, HSBC, and Morgan Stanley for handling the float, among the largest on BSE. As per the sources that are close to the deal, GSPC targets to sell its 10%-25% stocks in the beginning of the year 2007, rising to nearly US$ 2 Billion. (Reliance Industries’ refining subsidiary, Reliance Petroleum, raised US$ 650 Million at its IPO on BSE in May 2006).
International oil firms are being attracted by GSPC after the company struck a gigantic gas discovery in the Bay of Bengal. If GSPC’s claim is to be believed, 20 Trillion cubic feet of gas is held by the field. BP and BG Group – British oil & gas firms – are being short-listed for a stake in the field, along with Chevron and Eni, the American and Italian oil companies, respectively.
RNCOS has just published its much-awaited report on oil and gas industry in India. The report namely “Indian Oil & Gas Industry: An Industry Analysis” provides an objective analysis on the Oil & Gas sector in India along with information on the exploration, production and other processes, plus the annual consumption figures and future growth projections.
According to an industry expert at RNCOS, “BG - British gas specialist - has the most advanced position in India. If BG or BP is successful in bidding, it will by far be the largest investment by a British oil & gas company in India.”