MRPL Press Release (GA)

Mangalore, Sep 12: ONGC Videsh Ltd. (OVL) – wholly-owned subsidiary of Oil and Natural Gas Corporation Ltd. (ONGC) - entered into a production-sharing-contract with CUPET, the state oil company of Republic of Cuba, for two offshore Exploration Blocks N-34 and N-35. The blocks are located in Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) of Cuba. The Blocks are spread over an area of around 4300 square kilometres. The blocks are located in a very favorable geological set-up and are estimated to hold considerable hydrocarbon resources.

The contracts were signed on Saturday September 9 at Havana. OVL had earlier submitted expression of interest for these two blocks located in the Deep-water of Cuba offshore and negotiated the production sharing contract. Government of Cuba has the option to take 20% participating interest in these blocks. OVL will be the operator of the Block.

The exploration period is spread over a six years in three phases. During the first phase of exploration - acquisition, processing and interpretation of seismic data would be carried out for identification of prospects.

Earlier, in May 2006, OVL had acquired 30% participating interest in six exploratory blocks in offshore Cuba from Repsol YPF who hold 40% participating interest and balance 30% participating interest is held by Norsk Hydro. R S Butola, managing director of OVL, who executed the contract on behalf of the company, said that Cuba offers very promising exploration play and OVL is very pleased to enhance its investments in the country. Besides, execution of the production sharing contract for the Blocks N-34 and N-35 marks the entry of OVL in Latin America as an operator which will give fillip to its activities in the region.”

“OVL has already made its presence in Cuba’s Upstream Hydrocarbon Sector through participation in six offshore blocks. This contract would give major boost to OVL’s activities in the region”, said R S Sharma, chairman, ONGC group of companies.