Enron Oil and Gas Company (EOG) and its subsidiary have sought approval of the Tapti consortium participants for a new development plan under the terms of the original production sharing contract negotiated with the centre.

Enron and EOG India, the operator of the Tapti Field Offshore India, has suggested four additional drilling platforms, a new natural gas processing platform and the construction of a 36 inch diameter natural gas pipeline to Hazira -- the delivery point for Tapti sales -- under the terms of the original contract, stated a company release. EOG India, operator for the consortium, made an informal presentation to certain government officials on behalf of the members -- Reliance Industries and Oil and Natural Gas Corporation India.

Larsen & Toubro bags contract:

Larsen & Toubro bagged the contract to construct a bridge across Narmada river, near Bharuch in Gujarat, on a build-own-transfer (BOT) basis. L&T will collect toll from users - except two and three wheelers. Toll charges for the first three years will be -- Rs 11 for cars, Rs 28 for light commercial vehicles and Rs 33 for trucks and buses. The Rs 125 crore project involves construction of a new two-lane bridge and its approaches. The 15-year contract includes three-year construction period. The agreement was signed on November 21 by the centre, the Gujarat government, L&T and Narmada Infrastructure Construction Enterprise (NICEL) - a company promoted by L&T to undertake the project. The bridge will help reducing congestion on the Mumbai-Ahmedabad-Delhi national highway.

GLFL gross income declines:

The Gujarat Lease and Financing Limited (GLFL) registered a 5.6 per cent decline in its gross income to Rs 122.20 crore for the first half year ended September 30, 1997. Net profit of the company stood at Rs 9.75 crore, while it made a higher provision for depreciation at Rs 31 crore. It has identified retail finance and housing finance as its thrust areas. The housing finance business, carried out through GLFL's wholly-owned subsidiary, registered a rise in disbursements from Rs 12.49 crore to Rs 17.10 crore during the same period, said a company release.

Air Maldives to induct A-310 aircraft:

Air Maldives will induct a A-310 aircraft in its fleet. The airline will operate the leased aircraft to link Maldive's capital - Male - to Dubai, Abu Dhabi and Thiruvananthapuram. The airliner had replaced an A-300B4 leased from Malaysia Airline. The A-310 will seat 24 passengers in the first class and 197 in the economy class. Air Maldives chairman Major General Anbaree Abdul Sattar said that the aircraft would be profitable on key routes in Gulf and India.

Copyright © 1997 Indian Express Newspapers (Bombay) Ltd.