UAE to invest in petrochem, oil facilities in India

new delhi — The UAE said on Monday that it is looking at investing more in refining and petrochemical projects in India, as well as pumping more crude oil into the latter’s strategic petroleum reserves.

Speaking to reporters here after receiving the Lifetime Achievement Award at the Petrotech 2019 global energy conference from Prime Minister Narendra Modi, UAE Minister of State and CEO of Adnoc Dr Sultan bin Ahmad Sultan Al Jaber said his country is looking to go beyond only selling crude to India and wants to develop a strategic partnership.

We are looking at strategic partnership, given that we can also bring our own crude. India is not only an important market for us... it is a very strategic partner

Dr Sultan bin Ahmad Sultan Al Jaber, UAE Minister of State and CEO of Adnoc

“We are looking at expanding investment portfolio in the downstream sectors, especially in oil refining and petrochemicals,” he said.

“We are looking at strategic partnership, given that we can also bring our own crude. India is not only an important market for us... it is a very strategic partner.”

The proposed $44 billion Ratnagiri refinery project in Maharashtra has Adnoc and Saudi Arabian national oil company Aramco as overseas strategic partners.

“We are working very closely with our partner Saudi Aramco as well as our counterparts in India,” he added.

The UAE Minister also said the Gulf nation is also looking at storing more crude oil in Indian strategic reserves.

“India is very high on our strategic agenda and expanding our strategic reserve in India will be an item on the agenda to be discussed with our friends and counterparts in India,” he said.

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