The process of divestment of HPCL and BPCL, the two public-sector oil companies, would not be set in motion till the Lok Sabha has discussed the issue, Union Petroleum Minister Ram Naik said on Saturday.
The foreign acquisitions are being looked at to strengthen RIL's core businesses like petrochemicals, polymers and refinery, sources said, adding that the company has found that the economic downturn has created some right-valued acquisition opportunities.
Contraction in crude oil, natural gas, coal and electricity output led to the fall.
The Reserve Bank of India's rather sudden and unilateral decision to discontinue the Asian Clearing Union, a move that effectively stops settlements in dollars and the Euro, will most impact Mangalore Refinery, which sources 60 per cent of its crude needs from Iran.
I believe crude prices on a long-term basis will be between $40-$50 per barrel, achieved through the natural demand-supply balance and market adjustments.
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