India's government has allowed state-run ONGC Videsh Ltd. to buy a
minority stake from ConocoPhillips (COP) in an oil field in Kazakhstan
for $5.5 billion, a senior ONGC executive said Monday.
The deal now need the Kazakh government's permission to go through.
ONGC Videsh had signed an agreement on buying an 8.4% stake in
the Kashagan oil and gas field from ConocoPhillips in November last
year.
Subsequently, it sought the Indian government's permission for
the deal, which could be the biggest overseas acquisition by an Indian
oil and gas company.
However, delays in approval from both governments had raised doubts on the deal.
Eurasia Group analysts said in a note last month that the
Kazakh government will likely veto the sale in favor of a Chinese buyer
as the country looks to strengthen its energy-sector relations with China.
If the deal falls through, it would be a major setback to
India's plans to acquire hydrocarbon assets overseas to secure energy
supplies. The country meets 75% of its energy needs through imports.