NTPC Ltd.

After winning an oil exploration block in 2005, state-run power producer NTPC is gearing up to participate in the eighth round of auction of oil and gas exploration blocks under NELP and is scouting for a partner for the purpose.

NTPC along with French firm Geopetrol is working on the oil block in Arunachal Pradesh which was allotted to the company during the fifth round of the New Exploration Licensing Policy (NELP-V). NTPC has seven gas-based power stations — Anta, Auraiya, Kayamkulam, Kawas, Gandhar, Dadri and Faridabad — with a collective power generation capacity of about 4,000 MW and the fuel for these stations is sourced from the spot market.

The company requires 15-16 mmscmd of gas per day for its gas-based power plants out of which it would source 2 mmscmd from state-run Gas Authority of India (GAIL). India has offered 70 oil exploration blocks and 10 coal bed methane blocks in the NELP-VIII.