Dear Colleagues,
Earlier today, the 19 th of July 2022, the order from our administrative ministry, MoPNG was
received entrusting me with the responsibility of Managing Director, ONGC Videsh Limited,
based on which I have joined in this position. I would sincerely like to thank MoPNG as well
as the Government of India for reposing their faith in me for this appointment. It is truly
humbling and a real honor to head an organization which has such a rich legacy left by its
inspirational leaders, yet in the real sense is also fairly young. ONGC Videsh has been truly
blessed to have had such selfless and visionary leadership in the past, which enabled its
rapid and sustained growth. It would be my endeavor to live up to these high standards for
the future, as the best way of paying tribute to our founding and past leadership.
Today as I assume the charge of Managing Director there is a distinct feeling of
homecoming. Having spent 13 years in ONGC Videsh during its golden growth period, I
sincerely believe that this company has proven itself in the international arena by growing
rapidly from a fledgling company to one of repute and with material presence in various
geographies.
However, the success did not come cheap or easily – it involved diligence, effort, sweat, and
sacrifices from everyone in the company. ONGC Videsh was always meant to be run as a
lean organization; nimble footed and adept to change. We cannot and should not be
unwieldy in our process and systems as we need to compete and succeed in the fiercely
competitive global arena.
Today to say that ONGC Videsh is facing challenging times would be an understatement.
Both at the macro-industry and company level, we are impacted by challenges hitherto
unprecedented in our history. Even as the world is recovering from the black swan
pandemic event and the economic upheaval that it brought in its wake, the geopolitical
turmoil in recent months has again thrown the global economy into uncharted waters.
These changes in the world order are being manifested even more in the oil and gas
industry. The climate-change and ESG headwinds being faced for some time now, coupled
with the geopolitical disruptions have brought to fore the primacy of fossil fuels in the
energy mix, as also the urgent need to find sustainable solutions that do not deprive the
needy populations of access to cheap energy. From an Indian standpoint, as an economy on
the fast track to becoming a global economic superpower, energy access and affordability
will be key parameters to ensure the growth story, as energy consumption per capita
continues to be less than half of the developed world. ONGC Videsh, as per its mandate and
its vision, has a key role to play in this growth story.
As the recent events are playing out, several of our projects across geographies are faced
with tough geopolitical challenges and as a result have brought our company to a difficult
situation. While we have witnessed a drop in production year-on-year for the past three
years, with recent developments we are now witnessing one of our substantial production
and revenue generating projects going offline, with lack of visibility in its resumption. The
assets not affected by turmoil are battling diverse situations ranging from local challenges

to floods to license expiry and OPEC restrictions. Without mincing words, I would say that
we are faced with one of the most challenging times in the company’s history, since the
turn-of-the-millennium situation where we had nil production and the company struggled
to meet its obligations.
There has been a dearth of inorganic growth through M&A in the past few years, which has
been a tool deployed successfully by the company in the past to ensure sustained growth.
This has compounded the problem of declining production from ageing and depleting fields
and with few quality projects available for acquisition to fill the gap. Moments of flux and
deep uncertainties as we are presently faced with, do also throw up unexpected
opportunities and we need to be exceedingly alert to them and very efficient to convert the
opportunity into an acquisition.
Suffice to say, the time for complacency and business-as-usual is gone. Each and every
employee of ONGC Videsh has to now contribute over and above the call of duty to ensure
that we tide over these difficult times. The two years of the pandemic has perhaps brought
about a certain degree of lassitude in commitment, and it is manifest in the work culture
where adherence to punctuality and work timelines has at times been affected. The
immediate challenges we are facing does not provide management the headroom to
overlook such actions, and I would request you to treat the above statement with the
seriousness it deserves.
While the above picture though true may seem daunting , I am convinced that if each one of
us gears up to put their best foot forward every day in every job, then we shall not only be
able to overcome these hurdles but also be able to rediscover our winning mojo and
embark on the next period of disruptive growth.
Everyone is welcome to provide their ideas on any aspect of the business that can add
value, and my doors will always remain open.
We have a new and very competent Executive Committee and let us work collectively to
take our company to greater heights.
My wife Gitanjali and daughter Aaradhana join me in wishing the very best to you and your
near and dear ones.

Rajarshi Gupta has taken over as Managing Director of ONGC Videsh Limited (OVL) Schedule ‘A’ CPSE and subsidiary of ONGC, on 19th July 2022. Mr Gupta was recommended for the position by Public Enterprise Selection Board (PESB).

Rajarshi Gupta

Rajarshi Gupta has more than 33 years of wide-ranging experience in supervisory, managerial & strategic planning capacities in domestic and international operations of ONGC and ONGC Videsh. He has a keen business sense of the oil & gas industry, commercial and financial acumen, with mergers & acquisitions, strategic planning, and man management as his core strengths. During his professional career, he has worked in the domains of Supply Chain Management, Business Development, Project Management, Planning & Strategy, Corporate Communications, Human Resources Management and General Administration.

He has an excellent track record in Educational and Professional domains. A mechanical engineer from NIT Rourkela, he is also a Gold Medallist in MBA (International Business) from the Indian Institute of Foreign Trade, with the highest-ever CGPA scored in the history of the institute.

He has spent 13 years in ONGC Videsh during its golden growth period from 2006-2019, working across the globe in diverse geographical and fiscal regimes, in Business Development, Merger & Acquisitions, and Project Management of Exploration & Development projects. As Country Manager and President of ONGC Videsh’s US subsidiary, he set up the Geological & Geophysical Centre of Excellence in Houston. On return, he was Head of Corporate Planning & Strategy in ONGC Videsh and also headed Strategic HR and Corporate Communications. He was instrumental in framing the international business vision in ONGC’s long-term vision document, the Perspective Plan 2030.

As Executive Director- Chief of Corporate Strategy & Planning in ONGC, where he was responsible for formulating short, medium, and long-term strategies of the Company and provide a framework to the top management on developing scenarios in the sector. He was also responsible for management and networking with key stakeholders like MoPNG, DGH, DPE, Niti Aayog, PPAC, Investors and Credit Agencies. He spearheaded the rollout and implementation of the fifteen transformational initiatives formulated under the ONGC Energy Strategy 2040.

Awarded multiple times at the highest level for significant contribution to the Company, including the prestigious Manager of the Year Award from CMD, ONGC in 2014.

ONGC Videsh Limited (OVL), the wholly owned subsidiary and overseas arm of Oil and Natural Gas Corporation Ltd. (ONGC), the National Oil Company of India, has made an oil discovery in the recently drilled well, Urraca-IX, in CPO-5 block, Llanos Basin, Colombia. Well, Urraca-1X was spudded on 20th April 2022 and drilled to target depth (TD) of 10956 ft., encountering 17 ft thick oil-bearing sands at a depth from 10201ft -10218 ft. During initial testing with Electrical Submersible Pump (ESP), fluid flowed @ approx. 600 bbl./day with around 40-50% W/C and oil of 16oAPI. Oil discovery in the Lower Mirador play in this well opens up new areas for further exploration in the northern part of the block.

ONGC Videsh has earlier discovered commercial oil in the Lower Sand pay in Mariposa and Indico fields in the block in 2017 and 2018 respectively, which are currently commercially producing @ 20,000 bbl oil per day.

Block CPO-5 was awarded to ONGC Videsh Limited in the 2008 bid round of Colombia. ONGC Videsh holds 70% participating interest (PI) in the block along with operatorship, remaining 30% is held by partner Geopark. ONGC Videsh has a significant presence in oil & gas sector in Colombia, with three other exploratory blocks in the country and joint ownership of the oil producing company Mansarovar Energy Colombia Ltd (MECL). Oil discovery in a new play in the block with the well Urraca-1X, reiterates the technical and operational prowess of ONGC Videsh and adds one more feather in its cap towards the extensive Exploration and Drilling campaign in Colombia.

Anupam Agarwal has taken over as Director (Finance) of ONGC Videsh Limited on  18th June 2022, Schedule ‘A’ CPSE and subsidiary of ONGC. Mr Agarwal was recommended to the position by Public Enterprise Selection Board (PESB) on 28th February 2022 and has been appointed to the post by the President of India. 

Prior to this, Mr Agarwal served as Executive Director (Finance) in ONGC since January 2020. Mr Agarwal is a fellow member of the Institute of Cost Accountants of India and an associate member of The Institute of Company Secretaries of India. He is an alumnus of Lucknow University, where he obtained his Bachelor’s degree in Commerce and Master’s degree in Business Administration (Finance). He is also a Chartered Financial Analyst from the ICFAI Hyderabad. 

Mr Agarwal joined ONGC in 1990 as Finance & Accounts Officer and rose to the position of Executive Director, Chief Corporate Finance where he handled varied assignments, such as Direct tax, Indirect tax, Policy matters, Investor relations, Corporate Budget & Project Appraisal, Bidding for NELP and DSF Blocks, etc. During his tenure in ONGC, he handled responsibilities in diversified roles at Corporate Office, Dehradun, Mumbai, Assam and Baroda. 

Omkar Nath Gyani has taken over charge as the Director (Operations) in the Board of ONGC Videsh Limited (OVL) – the international petroleum company of India. Mr Gyanihas rich experience of more than three decades in diverse aspects of reservoir and production management of onshore and offshore fields in ONGC, JV and OVL.

Prior to joining in OVL, he was Asset Manager of the largest Onshore Asset – Mehsana. He steered the Asset to reverse the declining trend of production from matured fields and prepared a roadmap for unlocking the true potential of the Asset.

Prior to leading Mehsana Asset, he headed the prestigious Institute of Reservoir Studies (IRS) and managed reservoir health along with development planning by formulating IOR / EOR schemes of all major Assets. During the same period, ER policy was implemented by the government and he played pivotal role in screening and expansion of EOR projects within and outside ONGC.He has diverse experience in screening, designing and implementing thermal, chemical and gas-based EOR in different fields. He was also involved in evaluation of Carbon Capture, utilization and storage (CCUS) project for implementation in western India.

Mr Gyani started his career in 1987as Petroleum Engineer from Indian School of Mines. He has diverse professional experience in majority of ONGC Assets viz. Cauvery, Rajahmundry, Assam, Ankleshwar, Cambay and B&S. He raised oil production to peak level during his tenure in several Assets. He also contributed significantly in field growth through meticulous performance evaluation. He was a key contributor in the growth story of B&S Asset of Western offshore by improving oil production three fold from 20000 bopd to 60000+ bopd by formulating and implementing high-value development schemes.

MrGyani is well known for his vast experience in reservoir management, field development and EOR domain,both as Head of Institute and Asset Manager. He has to his credit the value addition in several IOR/EOR schemes leading to reserves accretion, improvement in productivity and recovery from several fields.

ONGC Videsh Limited (OVL) had registered a major gas discovery in 2019 in its deep offshore block BM-SEAL-4, Brazil, located in the Sergipe Alagoas Basin. Petrobras is the Operator of the block with 75% Participating Interest (PI) and in which partner ONGC Videsh holds 25% PI.

ONGC Videsh Limited, after detailed evaluation, now enters into the development stage with the submission of Declaration of Commerciality (DoC) for the block BM-SEAL-4.

The block development module of Petrobras envisages the installation of a shared FPSO and a gas pipeline. The name suggested to the Brazilian regulator for the field is Budião. The development module is presently in the contract planning phase and is expected to start production after 2026. The Consortium plans to continue all operational activities for submission of the Development Plan to the Regulator and meeting the target for the first oil.

ONGC Videsh Limited (OVL) is the wholly owned subsidiary and overseas arm of Oil and Natural Gas Corporation Ltd (ONGC), the National Oil Company of India.

Mr. Sanjeev Tokhi has taken over as the Director (Exploration) on 4 th October 2021 to join the Board of ONGC’s wholly-owned subsidiary, ONGC Videsh Limited (OVL).

In his 33 years of illustrious career, Mr. Tokhi commands a diversified exposure in all facets of exploration from Acquisition, Processing and Interpretation (API) to Petroleum Basin Modelling and Project Economics. Under his stewardship, acquisition of state-of-the-art broadband seismic in Mumbai Offshore and consequent analysis of the data led to a number of discoveries, accreting hydrocarbon resources of over a hundred million metric tons.
His leadership capabilities left indelible marks in a number of important projects like the efficient development of B12 & Daman fields, North Tapti ML, Revival of Ratna and R-Series fields, Pliocene Gas discoveries, and accelerated exploration campaign in recently reverted Panna & Mukta fields. His contribution towards
technology interventions in the deep-water Krishna Godavari basin, enabled robust reservoir characterization in Cluster-2 of northern discovery area of KG- DWN- 98/2 Block.

As the Director (Exploration) of ONGC Videsh, his focus would be towards astute acquisition of prospective acreages across the globe to OVL portfolio, contributing to national energy independence for an Atmanirbhar Bharat.

Issued by
Corporate Communications
ONGC Videsh limited

ONGC Videsh Limited, a wholly owned subsidiary of Oil and Natural Gas Corporation Limited (ONGC), the National Oil Company of India, has spudded its first well Kanchan#1 in Block SS04, Bangladesh, on 29 th September 2021 at Maheshkhali Island. This exploratory well is planned to be drilled to a depth of 4200 m and will be targeting two prospective formations. This well marks the beginning of exploratory drilling in Bangladesh by ONGC Videsh and will be followed by drilling at two more exploratory locations.

ONGC Videsh Ltd., in consortium with Oil India Ltd. (OIL), was awarded two shallow offshore Blocks SS-04 and SS-09 in Bangladesh during the Bid Round of 2012. The Production Sharing Contract (PSC) was signed between ONGC Videsh, OIL and Bangladesh Petroleum Exploration & Production Company Limited (BAPEX) in February, 2014. ONGC Videsh, with Participating Interest (PI) of 45%, is the Operator with OIL (45% PI) and BAPEX (10% PI) as the other partners. BAPEX is being carried equally by ONGC Videsh and OIL up to commercial discovery stage.

All pre-drilling activities were completed with the rig being on location in late 2019 and with spudding scheduled for March 2020. However, the drilling had to be deferred due to COVID-19 pandemic. After the easing of restrictions and resolving the issues owing to deferment of initial plans, in September 2021, the drilling of well has commenced on 29 th September 2021.

Terms of Reference – Junior Consultant/Associate Consultant (Project Finance)

Sl. No. Description Information
1 Roles And Responsibilities 1. Analysis and review of proposals related to Finance & Accounts issues of overseas projects.
2. Review and due diligence of proposals related to expenditure sanction for Contract & Procurement.
3. Analysis and advice on various issues related to compliances of Branch offices and Subsidiaries of ONGC-VL outside India.
4. Analysis and advice on various proposals or issues related to Joint Operating Agreement and E&P Contracts of ONGC-VL blocks. etc.
5. Analysis and validation of data under various Financial MIS for Qtrly. Accounts/ Budget/ Corporate Planning / Ministry information/Management /Annual Report etc.
6. Joint Venture Accounting, Cash Call Analysis, WP&B Preparation, Tax Computation etc. related to Operated & Non-Operated blocks of ONGC Videsh Ltd.
7. Any other job assigned by management from time to time.
2 Nature of Assignment (office / field) Office
3 Duration of Assignment One year
4 Position Junior Consultant/Associate Consultant (Project Finance)
5 Level E2 – E4
6 Age Limit 64 Years
7 Location ONGC Videsh, New Delhi
8 Qualification required Graduate in Commerce
9 Experience desired (Minimum) 10 Years in Finance & Accounts with working experience in JV accounting.
10 Performance evaluation process & periodicity thereof As per Policy
11 Reporting Authority (Name, Designation) Will be indicated in the Engagement Letter
12 Honorarium admissible as per policy Based on E-level of engagement

 

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Terms of Reference – Associate Consultant (Corporate Tax)

Sl. No. Description Information
1 Roles And Responsibilities 1.      Co-coordinating within the company w.r.t. tax compliance matters and collating and preparing the required information for tax compliances.

2.      Dealing all direct tax related compliances of the company in India as per the Income Tax Act and litigation thereof.

3.      Analysis of various transactions undertaken by the Company or its subsidiaries, JVs etc from an income tax perspective and recommend the most optimal structure of transaction from a tax point of view.

4.      Co-coordinating with tax consultant(s) for arranging review of the tax compliance including tax opinions, where required.

5.      Any other job assigned by management from time to time.

2 Nature of Assignment (office / field) Office
3 Duration of Assignment One year
4 Position Associate Consultant (Corporate Tax)
5 Level E4 – E5
6 Age Limit 64 Years
7 Location ONGC Videsh, New Delhi
8 Qualification required CA / ICWA
9 Experience desired (Minimum) 15 years in Finance & Accounts with atleast 3 years experience in dealing corporate tax matters
10 Performance evaluation process & periodicity thereof As per Policy
11 Reporting Authority (Name, Designation) Will be indicated in the Engagement Letter
12 Honorarium admissible as per policy Based on E-level of engagement

 

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