UK- based Enso Group tries to get back Cambay Basin block

The Enso Group, head quartered in London, has initiated talks with ONGC to get back the oil block in the Cambay Basin in Gujarat. They had a 25 per cent partnership in the venture with ONGC and exited for financial reasons in 2010 and relinquished their stake to Sahara, which in turn exited from the bloc completely.

Mr Vaibhav Maloo, managing director of the group in India, said they have already invested $ 16- 17 million in the block, which has a total cost of $ 80- 90 million. He said they have learnt that the project is in an advanced stage of proven reserves and they are hopeful of being able to take part in the project again.

The group, which has a turnover of $ 650 million, has oil and gas blocks in Russia and mining concessions in the Republic of Guinea and Nigeria.

In India, the group has forayed into healthcare — EnsoCare — where it has an investment programme of $ 60 million for putting up healthcare centres in 55 hospitals in Maharashtra and Punjab. These centers will be primarily for the people below the poverty line. The first centre will be ready in Maharashtra by September 26 and all 55 are expected to be ready by November.