Guwahati: Oil India Limited (OIL) has decided to retain its Corporate Office (CO) in Noida following a detailed assessment conducted by the Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas (MoPNG) to ensure that OIL’s various operations in India and elsewhere are centrally coordinated and managed in a manner that reinforces the Northeast program. According to the Eighth Report of the Lok Sabha’s Committee on Public Undertakings, presented in both houses of the Parliament during the recently held winter session of Parliament, plans have been envisaged for the construction of a modern facility in Guwahati, an important step in terms of improving local capabilities without losing national and international business targets.
According to the Committee report, after the Baghjan blowout incident, OIL was advised to shift its Corporate Office to Guwahati to enhance operational oversight in the Northeast region. In June 2022, a foundation stone was laid at a plot of land provided by the Assam Government in Guwahati. However, the company has produced 99% of its crude oil and 90.58% of its gas production from Assam during 2021-22, a great success under the current arrangement. That was a good reason for retaining the present setup.
This structure would provide smooth decision-making and coordination between the Northeast, Delhi-based Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas and pan-India and international OIL operations. The Committee overseeing the matter emphasized that relocating the Corporate Office entirely to Guwahati might disrupt OIL’s ability to manage its nationwide and international projects effectively. The company’s diversification efforts, such as its City Gas Distribution (CGD) projects in Haryana and Maharashtra and its exploration activities across seven countries, require a centralized and well-connected corporate hub.
Strategic Focus On The Guwahati Complex
OIL has revised its approach by planning a state-of-the-art complex in Guwahati to balance regional and national interests. This facility aims to strengthen its operational base in Assam and foster regional development. Key components of the Guwahati complex include:
1. A state-of-the-art training institute for employee development.
2. A Centre of Excellence for Energy Studies (CoEES) to foster innovation in the energy sector, including exploration and production.
3. A Skill Development Institute (SDI) with residential facilities to benefit the youth of the Northeast.
Construction will commence after the revised designs for the complex are finalized. The Committee has emphasized the need for a time-bound action plan and periodic monitoring to ensure the timely execution of the project.
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Additionally, the Committee recommended the appointment of key Board Members with expertise in exploration and production (E&P) to oversee operations in the Northeast. This approach aims to maintain seamless coordination between the Noida CO, the Guwahati office, and operations in Duliajan while ensuring efficient interaction with the Ministry in Delhi.
By retaining its Corporate Office in Noida while expanding its infrastructure and capabilities in Assam, OIL aims to create a balanced operational framework. This decision ensures centralized coordination for its pan-India and international projects while enhancing its regional presence in the Northeast.
The decision to retain OIL CO aligns with OIL's pan-India and global business strategies, allowing it to maintain its central coordination capabilities in Noida while strengthening its regional presence, stakeholder engagement and socio-economic development in Assam.
The company’s Registered Office (RO) and Field Head Quarter (FHQ) are located in Duliajan, with a Pipeline Headquarters (PHQ) in Guwahati. Since its inception, OIL maintained its Corporate Office in New Delhi (from 1981) and later shifted it to Noida in 2007-08 to enhance coordination with key national stakeholders.
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