"The Minister reached Moscow this evening and is slated to meet Putin at 1530 hrs (local time)," a Petroleum Ministry official said.
During his meeting with Putin, Deora would try and secure Kremlin's approval for ONGC Videsh Ltd's acquisition of Imperial for $2.59-billion acquisition.
Putin heads the Government Commission on Monitoring Foreign Investment in the Russian Federation, which along with Federal Anti-Monopoly Service is to vet the application of OVL, the overseas arm of Oil and Natural Gas Corp (ONGC).
The anti-monopoly body has sought more time to scrutinise OVL's application, the official said. The deal is contingent upon Kremlin's approval as Imperial has assets in Tomsk region of western Siberia.
Deora's interaction with Putin would focus on increasing India's presence in Russia beyond Sakhalin-1 oil and gas field in Far East Russia in which OVL has 20 per cent stake.
OVL is vying for big-ticket Russian oil fields, including Sakhalin-3 project, to access one million barrels of hydrocarbon reserves.
The official said OVL was keen on joining hands with Russia's Rosneft to get 10-20 per cent stake in Sakhalin-3 oil and gas fields in Far East Russia. Deora would also take up ONGC's cause for a stake in Russia's Vankor oil and gas field and Timano-Pechora oil fields.
