Question: Where did the 4th Indian Africa Hydrocarbons Conference was held?
(a) Nairobi
(b) Guwahati
(c) New Delhi
(d) Bamako
Ans (c)
Related facts:
- The 4th Indian Africa Hydrocarbons Conference was held at New Delhi from 21 to 22 January 2016.
- The conference’s main theme was “Energizing the bottom of the pyramid: Together towards Tomorrow”.
- The India-Africa Hydrocarbons Conference was conceptualised in 2007 with the objective to foster bilateral trade relations in the hydrocarbons sector, understand policy and regulatory frameworks and offer opportunities for strategic partnerships in upstream and downstream sectors of the two regions.
- This summit saw the presence of 41 African Heads of States and Governments.
- In his opening speech, India’s Petroleum and Natural Gas Minister of State (Independent Charge), Dharmendra Pradhan stated that in 2014, 32 million metric tons of crude oil was imported from Africa to India.
- Including 3 Million Metric tonnes from North Africa and 29 Million Metric tonnes from West Africa, mainly from Nigeria and Angola.
- This constitutes approximately 16% of our consumption. This is going to increase in the coming years.
- India’s scarcity of domestic energy resources can be offset by Africa’s surplus energy reserves – which accounts for about 15% of current proved accessible global oil reserves.
- The new discoveries in Africa have seen oil reserves grow by over 100% and gas reserves grow by over 55%.
- The Compound Annual Growth Rate (CAGR) of Indian primary energy consumption in the last 15 years has been about 7.3% as compared to a global CAGR of 3%.
- According to the International Energy Agency’s (IEA) World Energy Outlook 2015, India will contribute around 25% of the growth in global energy demand and would thus be the single largest contributor to energy growth globally.
- India import nearly 78% of crude oil & 35% our natural gas requirements.
- Despite being a net importer of crude oil, India, with 23 refineries, has become a net exporter of petroleum products by investing in refineries designed for export.
- India has emerged as a refining hub.
- India has the fourth largest refining capacity in the world with 4.5% of world share.
- Indian refineries have the highest complexity and can refine almost 180 kinds of crude.
- In 2014-15, India exported 63 Million Metric Tonnes of petroleum products to more than 55 countries around the world.
- Indian companies are already providing comprehensive Engineering, Procurement and Construction (EPC) services to the hydrocarbon sector in Africa.
- ONGC Videsh Ltd signed a Memorandum of Understanding for cooperation in the E & P activities (engineering and procurement) with Equatorial Guinea.
- 250 pre-finance scholarships are announced. The scholarship will be provided to those persons of Africa who are doing technical research in hydrocarbon sector in institutions in India.
- During India Africa Forum Summit in October 2015, Hon’ble Prime Minister had announced 50,000 scholarships for African students and research scholars. This includes scholarships in petroleum sector specific R&D and training.
- In his closing remarks, Foreign Minister Sushma Swaraj suggested for moving while working together for energy poverty and energy justice.
- This conference aims to build on successful accomplishment of the first three conferences held in 2007, 2009, and 2011 respectively.
Reference:
http://pib.nic.in/newsite/PrintRelease.aspx?relid=134670