Thursday, March 16 2006 13:26 Hrs (IST) - World Time -

Moscow: Minister of State of Petroleum and Natural Gas Dinsha J Patel arrived here yesterday(Mar 15,2006) to attend the meeting with G-8 energy ministers. Energy ministers from the Group of Eight most- industrialised democracies comprising the US, Britain, Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Japan and Russia are meeting here to discuss global energy security.

They will also interact tomorrow with the Indian, Chinese, Brazilian Mexican and South African energy ministers to discuss the global demand for energy, ecological issues, dialogue between energy producers and consumers, and investments in the energy sector.

During his two-day Moscow stay, Patel is to call on Russian Industry and Energy Minister Viktor Khristenko and hold several meetings with the officials of Russian oil majors like Rosneft to explore cooperation and investment in Russia's hydrocarbons.

According to diplomatic sources, Oil and Natural Gas Corporation (ONGC) is vying to acquire Udmurtneft company with 6 million barrel capacity in partnership with private Russian company Itera and Indian Oil is seeking a stake in Kalmykia- based Yugneftegaz.