PAN IIT - ONGC MoC in Hydrocarbons and Energy Signed

A Memorandum of Collaboration (MoC) was signed in New Delhi today in the presence of the Union Minister of Human Resource Development Smt Smriti Irani and the Minister of State for Petroleum and Natural Gas, Shri Dharmendra Pradhan. Responding to the Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi’s ‘Make in India’ initiative, the IITs and the ONGC have agreed to work towards a collective R&D Programme for Developing Indigenous Technologies to enhance Exploration and Exploitation of Hydrocarbons and Alternate Sources of Energy. This is a long-term initiative for sustained research, development and capacity building aimed at a multi-pronged approach that will help foster research capability and transform experiential based learning in this core sector. The Programme will be funded by ONGC and shall take advantage of the available infrastructure and manpower of the IITs and ONGC. The Programme has identified seven initial thematic areas namely (i) Geological & Geophysical studies (ii) Reservoir characterization, modeling & simulation (iii) Oil & gas Production & Recovery Enhancement (iv) Software Development (v) Unconventional Energy Resources (vi) Engineering solutions/tools & technology development (vii) Alternate Energy researches. Sub-topics have also been identified in each of these areas. The Minister of Human Resource Development, Smt Smriti Irani, while congratulating ONGC and IITs for deciding to join hands to bring major push for ‘Make in India’ campaign in energy sector said, that such initiatives further demonstrate India’s collective determination to realize full potential of our inherent strengths for making the country a true global leader. The Ministry of Human Resource Development will promote similar industry – academia linkages on a large scale and will also facilitate engagement of Adjunct Faculty. Terming the new initiative as quite exciting for the entire hydrocarbon industry of the country, MoS Shri Dharmenra Pradhan said knowledge of theoretical aspects is available with IITs while the knowledge of practical aspects of energy business resides with ONGC. He welcomed the partnership for excellence through research and development.