Govt may ban jet kero, ATF export

The government is considering a ban on export of kerosene oil (jet kero) and aviation turbine fuel (ATF), which are similar to kerosene, to boost supplies of kerosene for public distribution system.

"With a view to ensuring that the country's demand for kerosene for the public distribution system is met from indigenous production, Indian Oil Corp has requested government to consider imposing restrictions on the export of kerosene and ATF. The matter is under consideration," Petroleum Minister Mani Shankar Aiyar said in a written reply to a question in Rajya Sabha on Tuesday.

India imports kerosene as its requirement for PDS could not be met with indigenous production.

Kerosene availability for April, May and June is short by 100,000 tonnes per month.

Diesel: To another question, Aiyar said 1,718.5 kilolitres of smuggled diesel was seized in 2004-05 as compared to 35.2 kilolitres in 2003-04.

Oil: The target set for the production of crude oil for the current year (2005-06) is 34.45 million tonnes as against 33.98 million tonnes in the previous year.

"The Oil and Natural Gas Corp and Oil India Ltd plan to spend about Rs 3,599 crore (Rs 35.99 billion) and Rs 571 crore (Rs 5.71 billion) during 2005-06 for exploration activities," Aiyar said.

Cairn: To a separate question, he said Cairn Energy of the United Kingdom has made 9 oil and gas discoveries in Rajasthan and has established 136.34 million tonnes of in-place oil reserves.

"Four discoveries, namely Mangala, Aishwariya, Saraswati and Rageshswari have been declared as commercial and the remaining 5 are under appraisal," Aiyar said.

Crude oil production from Cairn field is expected to begin from third quarter of 2007.