INDIAN STRATEGIC PETROLEUM RESERVES LIMITED (ISPRL)

Source: http://www.isprlindia.com/aboutus.asp

INDIAN STRATEGIC PETROLEUM RESERVES LIMITED (ISPRL)

To ensure energy security, the Government of India had decided to set up 5 million metric tons (MMT) of strategic crude oil storages at three locations namely, Visakhapatnam, Mangalore and Padur (near Udupi). These strategic storages would be in addition to the existing storages of crude oil and petroleum products with the oil companies and would serve as a cushion in response to external supply disruptions. The construction of the strategic crude oil storage facilities is being managed by Indian Strategic Petroleum Reserves Limited (ISPRL), a Special Purpose Vehicle, which is a wholly owned subsidiary of Oil Industry Development Board (OIDB). 

The crude oil storages are in underground rock caverns and are located on the east and west coasts so that they are readily accessible to the refining sector. Underground rock caverns are considered the safest means of storing hydrocarbons. The estimated cost of the project was around Rs.2400 crore at September 2005 prices. This excluded the cost of filling the crude oil in the caverns. Approval was obtained to increase the capacity at Visakhapatnam to 1.33 MMT and to permit utilization of the additional 0.3 MMT compartment by Hindustan Petroleum Corporation Limited (HPCL) on proportionate cost sharing basis. As a result of this approval, the strategic storage capacity is 5.03 MMT. 

The approved Revised Cost Estimates for Visakhapatnam, Mangalore and Padur are Rs.1178.35, Rs 1227 crores and Rs 1693 crores respectively. The total cost of all the three projects is Rs 4098.35 crore, out of which Rs 265.79 crore would be provided by HPCL for the 0.3 MMT compartment at Visakhapatnam.

Hydrogen Association of India (HAI)

Source: http://www.hai.org.in/hai_m1-m3.html

The name of the association is Hydrogen Association of India (HAI) registered Under society out and having Memorandum and Rules and Regulations as the Association. The registered office of the Association is Hydrogen Association of India (HAI), c/o Indian Oil Corporation Ltd, R&D Centre, Sector-13, Faridabad - 121007, India.

The aims and objectives of the Association are to conduct scientific activities which shall include interalia the following:

To promote, encourage and develop the growth of Hydrogen Energy and its applications in the country. To establish an active association of all those persons, bodies, institutions (private or public) and industries interested in (a) above. To disseminate information concerning the developments in Hydrogen Energy and its applications through publications, such as bulletins, reports, news letters, journals, etc. To organize courses, symposia, seminars, etc. in various parts of the country, to educate the users of Hydrogen Energy and offer a proper platform for reporting and discussing the new developments in various fields of Hydrogen Energy. To render advice (technical or otherwise) to government and commercial bodies on matters pertaining to Hydrogen Energy and its applications, when needed or requested. To undertake and execute all other acts which shall promote the aims and objectives of the Association, And it is, hereby declared that in the interpretation of this clause, the meaning of any of the Association’s objectives shall not be constrained except when otherwise expressed in such paragraph or by the juxta position of two or more objectives and that in the event of any ambiguity, the clause shall be constructed in such a way so as to widen, and not restrict the powers of the Association.

Centre for Environmental Planning and Technology (CEPT)

Source: http://www.cept.in/

CEPT University was earlier known as Centre for Environmental Planning and Technology (CEPT).
CEPT was established in 1962. It became a State University by an Act of the State Legislative Assembly of Gujarat.

CEPT University offers undergraduate, postgraduate and doctorate programmes.

This website is under construction.

For more information, please see the official website of the  CEPT University at www.cept.ac.in

CEPT University

Kasturbhai Lalbhai Campus, Univesrity Road

Navarangpura, Ahmedabad-380009 (Gujarat) INDIA

Phone: +91-79-26302470

CEPT University

Source: http://cept.ac.in/about

CEPT University focuses on understanding, designing, planning, constructing and managing human habitats. Its teaching programs build thoughtful professionals and its research programs deepen understanding of human settlements.  CEPT University also undertakes advisory projects to further the goal of making habitats more livable. 

The University comprises five faculties.  The Faculty of Architecture was established as the ‘School of Architecture’ in 1962.  It focuses on design in the private realm.  The Faculty of Planning, focused on planning in the public realm, was established in 1972 as the ‘School of Planning’.  The Faculty of Technology, which concentrates on engineering and construction, was established in 1982 as the ‘School of Building Science and Technology’.  The Faculty of Design was established in 1992 as the ‘School of Interior Design’.  It deals with habitat related interiors, crafts, systems, and products. Faculty of Management is a newly established faculty from the Faculty of Technology Management and it focuses on Habitat and Project Management.

CEPT University takes its name from the ‘Center for Environmental Planning and Technology’ (CEPT).  CEPT and the various schools that it comprised were established by the Ahmedabad Education Society with the support of the Government of Gujarat and the Government of India.  The Government of Gujarat incorporated CEPT as a university in 2005. The University Grants Commission recognized CEPT University under section 2(f) of the UGC Act, 1956 in 2007. The Department of Scientific and Industrial Research (DSIR) of the Government of India recognizes the University as a Scientific and Industrial Research Organization (SIRO).

INDIAN TECHNICAL AND ECONOMIC COOPERATION (ITEC)

Source: http://www.itec.mea.gov.in/?1320?000

About ITEC

INDIAN TECHNICAL AND ECONOMIC COOPERATION (ITEC) PROGRAMME

•  The Indian Technical and Economic Cooperation (ITEC) Programme was instituted by a decision of the Indian Cabinet on 15 September 1964 as a bilateral programme of assistance of the Government of India. The ITEC Programme, born out of the vision of our first Prime Minister Jawahar Lal Nehru, was formally launched under the premiership of Lal Bahadur Shastri. The decision regarding setting up the ITEC programme was predicated on the underlying belief that "it was necessary to establish relations of mutual concern and inter-dependence based not only on commonly held ideals and aspirations, but also on solid economic foundations. Technical and economic cooperation was considered to be one of the essential functions of an integrated and imaginative foreign policy."

National Institute of Wind Energy, NIWE

Source: http://niwe.res.in/aboutus_bd.php

Harnessing wind energy has come a long way in India, on par with international development, with the private sector actively participating in the path laid down by Ministry of New and Renewable Energy (MNRE) over the last decade. The policy formulated for the development of wind power by MNRE supported by the State Policies, including the evacuation of power through the State Electricity Boards, has placed India on the world wind energy map.

To sustain wind energy development and to help India achieve self-reliance in the power sector supplementing the core conventional resources, MNRE has been planning and developing the basic infrastructure, institutions, and resources for carrying out research and development, large scale demonstration and diffusion of the non-conventional energy sources.

As a step towards achieving these broad goals and to tackle the challenges in sustaining the development and accelerating the pace of utilization of wind energy in the country the National Institute of Wind Energy (NIWE) has been established by MNRE at Chennai as an autonomous R&D institution of Government of India.

A Wind Turbine Test Station with technical and partial financial support by Danida, Government of Denmark, has been established at Kayathar, in Thoothukudi, District, and Tamil Nadu, as an integral part of the Centre.

It is envisioned that NIWE will serve as a technical focal point of excellence to foster the development of wind energy in the country. opment of wind energy in the country.

The National Confederation of Officers Associations of Central Public Sector Undertakings (NCOA)

Source: http://ncoaindia.com/about.php

A BRIEF HISTORY OF THE NCOA OF CENTRAL PUBLIC SECTOR UNDERTAKINGS

Reviewed 09-09-2010

The National Confederation of Officers Associations of Central Public Sector Undertakings (NCOA) was formed in 1985 as an Apex Body of Officers of Central Public Sector Undertakings. It has organized the Officers of the Central Public Sector under one roof, in order to provide them with a sense of identity. When the Govt, of India started disinvestments the definition of Central Public Sector Undertaking for the purpose of membership was changed to mean any undertaking in which the Government of India had a commercial presence by way of equity.

Issues taken up by NCOA

          During its twenty years history some of the important issues that were taken up by NCOA:
1. National Issues
         White Paper: During the Prime Ministership of Shri Rajiv Gandhi the Government of India had committed in the Parliament that jt would produce a White Paper on the Public sector. When the Govt, of India failed to produce a White Paper, NCOA produced an Approach Paper on the White Paper. Since then there have been several Publication on major policy issues relating to the public sector.
On several occasions the NCOA was invited by the Parliamentary Committee of Public Undertakings and the Standing Committee on Industry to make submission on various issues relating to the Public sector.
          NCOA was one of the founders of the National Working Group on Patent Law to fight for the preservation of the Indian Patent Law and strengthen the Indian struggle to withstand international pressure to force India to Join the Paris Convention. The Working Group has since graduated into an important agency in India people's struggle against unfair trade agreements being brought through the World Trade. Organization. NCOA participated in Cancun Mexico in the NGO forums during the 5th Ministerial Conference.
          NCOA has been a founder member of the All India People's Science movement that has pioneered literacy and science communications.

2. Privatization          NCOA successfully undertook struggles against the first two attempts to privatize the public sector and
         Scooter India Limited:          NCOA formed a high level committee under the Chairmanship of Shri R. C. Dutt Former, Secretary Steel and Director General BPE with Sarva Shri Ajit Chaterjee Former CMD, HEC & MAMC T. S. Kannan Former CMD R & C, NSIC V. Krishnan Former CMD BPCL & Scooters India S. Soundararajan Former CMI Scooters India Representatives of the Officers, Supervisor Associations and Trade Unions of Scooters India and NCOA.
          The Committee analysed the Government of India's proposal for handing over Scooters India to M/s Bajaj and recommended against the move.

Energistics: The Energy Standards Resource Centre

Source: http://www.energistics.org/history

The predecessor of Energistics was formed in October 1990 by five founding sponsor oil companies: BP, Chevron, Elf (since merged into Total), Mobil (since merged into ExxonMobil), and Texaco (since merged into Chevron) under the name Petrotechnical Open Software Corporation (POSC). ^[1]

The mission of the new organization was defined as developing, supporting, evolving, and promoting open standards for the scientific, engineering, and operations aspects of the oil and gas exploration and production industry.

In the early years, the organization established an open process, acquired resources, and pursued a set of deliverables. The use of the specifications was intended to enable greater quality, consistency, and integration of data and data use. The initial deliverables were known as the Software Integration Platform (SIP) Specifications.

In 1993, Version 1.0 of the specifications were published as a collection of hard-cover bound books. The published specifications included base computing, data model, data access, data exchange, and user interface. ^[2]

During the next three years, the organization engaged in educational, testing and support activities, including two proof-of-concept implementations of the SIP enabling middleware and a multi-stage, multi-member pilot implementation program called the Industry Implementation Pilot (IIP). The IIP involved both energy company in-house developers and commercial vendor developers building up aspects of an infill drilling scenario. ^[3]

In 1996, the Board of Directors commissioned a study of the benefits of using the SIP specifications, which projected savings of from 1 to 3 USD per barrel of oil gained through improvements in data quality, data accessibility, and exploitation of information and knowledge. ^[4]

Additions and enhancements to the SIP specifications were published in the following few years, including SIP Version 2.2 in 1997 and software applications interoperability specifications in 1999. During these years, the organization transitioned to a fully member elected Board of Directors.

The SIP Version 2.3 incremental update came out in 2000 and 2001, along with the first XML data schema specifications for basic well data (WellMasterML) and well log display parameters (LogGraphicsML) as well as a series of XML-oriented public seminars. The future course of the organization was shifting from data store and middleware specifiations to subject matter data exchange specifications.

This transition progress in 2002 with the agreement to receive custodianship of the WITSML Standards for drilling data exchange based on XML and Web Services technologies. In the same year, the first of a number of member Special Interest Groups (SIGs) was organized as the user community for subject-specific standards. The subject matter of the first SIG was E&P data stores and their use.

In 2003, a SIG was formed to support the WITSML Standards. The final release of the SIP Specifications, Version 3.0, came out during that year. Reference standards for both well log data and E&P document and dataset cataloging were published, along with an E&P business process reference model.

During 2004, the organization decided to improve the alignment of its name with its mission by redefining the meaning of the name POSC to mean the Petrotechnical Open Standards Consortium. ^[5]

The second XML and Web Services family of standards was initiated in August 2005 with the agreement to host the first year of the PRODML, Production XML Markup Language initiative, after which the PRODML SIG was formed. A major new release of the WITSML Standards was released in 2005. Also, an open source data conversion utility for LAS to WITSML well log dataset conversion was developed and released.

Building on the most valuable initiatives and an increased emphasis on wide-scale standards adoption, the organization rebranded itself as Energistics in November 2006. This coincided with the release of Version 1.0 of the PRODML Standards and an update to Units of Measure specifications. ^[6]

In 2007, a WITSML-based electronic permitting XML schema specifications was published following a multi-year collaboration with US state regulatory agencies in cooperation with API PIDX's REGS EC User Group.

During 2008, WITSML Standards, Version 1.4.0 were released. Also, updated application interoperability specifiations were submitted by OpenSpirit Corporation, which followed from the previous work in the area published originally in 1999.

2009 saw the formation of the RESQML SIG to address reservoir characterization standards development as a natural successor to the RESCUE Work Group's C++ Class Library. Also, updated PRODML Standards for both data and services specifications were released.

In 2011, the Standards DevKit was developed by ExxonMobil and is licensed to Energistics for maintenance, support and administration. The DevKit supports the latest versions of WITSML, PRODML and RESQML. Further development will be guided by Energistics and the user community.

WITSML v1.4.1.1 was published in July 2012 and includes updates and bug fixes to v1.4.1 (published in 2011). A certification program for v1.4.1.1 servers is under development for use in 2013.

REFERENCES

1. POSC Certificate of Incorporation, 1990

2. POSC Software Integration Standards, Prentice-Hall, 1993

3. POSC Industry Implementation Pilot, 1994

4. Benefits of Using the POSC Specifications, 1996

5. POSC By-Laws, as amended, 2004

6. Energistics By-Laws, as amended, 2006

Ministry of Corporate Affairs (MCA)

Source: http://www.mca.gov.in/MinistryV2/about_mca.html

About MCA

The Ministry is primarily concerned with administration of the Companies Act 2013, the Companies Act 1956, the Limited Liability Partnership Act, 2008 & other allied Acts and rules & regulations framed there-under mainly for regulating the functioning of the corporate sector in accordance with law.

The Ministry is also responsible for administering the Competition Act, 2002 to prevent practices having adverse effect on competition, to promote and sustain competition in markets, to protect the interests of consumers through the commission set up under the Act.

Besides, it exercises supervision over the three professional bodies, namely, Institute of Chartered Accountants of India(ICAI), Institute of Company Secretaries of India(ICSI) and the Institute of Cost Accountants of India (ICAI) which are constituted under three separate Acts of the Parliament for proper and orderly growth of the professions concerned.

The Ministry also has the responsibility of carrying out the functions of the Central Government relating to administration of Partnership Act, 1932, the Companies (Donations to National Funds) Act, 1951 and Societies Registration Act, 1980.

UN Global Compact

Source: https://www.unglobalcompact.org/AboutTheGC/TheTenPrinciples/index.html

The Ten Principles  

The UN Global Compact's ten principles in the areas of human rights, labour, the environment and anti-corruption enjoy universal consensus and are derived from:

• The Universal Declaration of Human Rights
• The International Labour Organization's Declaration on Fundamental Principles and Rights at Work
• The Rio Declaration on Environment and Development
• The United Nations Convention Against Corruption

The UN Global Compact asks companies to embrace, support and enact, within their sphere of influence, a set of core values in the areas of human rights, labour standards, the environment and anti-corruption:

Human Rights

• Principle 1: Businesses should support and respect the protection of internationally proclaimed human rights; and
• Principle 2: make sure that they are not complicit in human rights abuses.  

Labour

• Principle 3: Businesses should uphold the freedom of association and the effective recognition of the right to collective bargaining;
• Principle 4: the elimination of all forms of forced and compulsory labour;
• Principle 5: the effective abolition of child labour; and
• Principle 6: the elimination of discrimination in respect of employment and occupation. 
   

Environment

• Principle 7: Businesses should support a precautionary approach to environmental challenges;
• Principle 8: undertake initiatives to promote greater environmental responsibility; and
• Principle 9: encourage the development and diffusion of environmentally friendly technologies.   

Anti-Corruption

• Principle 10: Businesses should work against corruption in all its forms, including extortion and bribery. 

 

Action Researcher in Education

Source: www.actionresearch.gr

Action Researcher in Education is a fully refereed greek e-journal with international contributions. It publishes articles on all aspects of educational action research and teachers' professional development. It is concerned with exploring the “teacher as researcher” movement as well as the theory-practice interaction in educational settings. It also acts as a forum for critical and reflective focus on practice. The issues that could be interesting in such an orientation are: epistemological and methodological approaches of action research; the connections between action research and refective practice; the ways to promote reflective practice; pre-service and in-service teacher education; teachers’ thinking as a part of their professional action; teachers’ professional development; curriculum theory and practice. The journal provides a point for the publication of researches on education, in particular researches that promote teachers’ reflection. The journal publishes theoretical and practical accounts in action research, with the aim of making their outcomes widely available. As the journal provides a forum for debate between researchers, it also aims to establish and maintain a dialogue between action researchers wherever they work on relevant practical and epistemological issues, enabling teachers researchers to enact critical reflection and analysis on educational issues.

National Solar Energy Federation of India (NSEFI)

Source: http://www.nsefi.in/about-us/about-nsefi/

About NSEFI

National Solar Energy Federation of India (NSEFI) is the unified voice of the Indian solar energy industry.

National Solar Energy Federation of India (NSEFI) is an umbrella organisation representing solar energy companies active along the whole photovoltaic value chain: project developers, manufacturers, engineering companies, financing institutions and other stakeholders.

Founded in 2013 by solar energy industry leaders with the vision to promote solar energy, NSEFI is a public trust based in New Delhi.

Our Mission

Unify the voice of solar

We strive to act as a platform for various solar energy industry stakeholders with the objective of strengthening the communication and taking a unified stand for greater good of solar energy industry.

Advance solar-friendly policies

NSEFI works tirelessly to advance solar-friendly policy making by becoming the interface between the solar energy industry and policy makers. NSEFI is directed by leaders who have decades of experience leading private organisations as well as policy initiatives. Supported by researchers and subject matter experts, we support better policies to make solar energy affordable while ensuring robust all-round growth of the industry.

Spread awareness about solar energy

Solar energy market in India is in its nascent stages. Access to knowledge about solar energy will encourage adoption of solar energy as well as entrepreneurship, resulting in robust and competitive market. NSEFI has committed itself to the mission of spreading awareness about solar energy through various initiatives.

What we do

• We organise conclaves where our participants discuss issues related to solar energy and seek mutually beneficial business opportunities.
• We organise events and industry seminars where members as well as non-members share information and spread knowledge about solar energy.
• We engage with policy makers and regulators to ensure more inclusive policy-making and better policies and regulations to promote solar energy in India
• We interact closely with the media to increase public awareness about issues and developments related to solar energy.
• We release whitepapers and reports related to solar energy.
• We organise workshops and roadshows to educate organisations and general public about solar energy in India.
• We collaborate with international associations to strengthen international trade.

WOMEN IN PUBLIC SECTOR (WIPS)

Source: http://wipsapex.co.in/

The growth of public sector in the term of increase in numbers , investment , turnover employment and diversity of activities have been phenomenal in last five decades. As on 31.3.2009, the 246 CPSEs employed over 15.35 lakh people (excluding casual workers) . One –fourth of the manpower was in managerial and supervisory cadres. The CPSEs have thus a highly skilled workfourse, which is one of their basic strengths, The CPSEs, in turn, provide lifetime employment to the employees. Out of 15.35 lakh employees , women constitute only around 4.5% as per DPE Report.

WIPS An Overview

Preamble

  PSU represents the single largest organized sector spread over the entire length and breadth of the country touching and influencing the lives of the entire population in the country and of all categories. Though the Public Sector as a whole is undergoing structural changes in as much as the rest of the economy in India for the past one decade, it still occupies the center stage impacting the economy. Women in PSU constituted 4.5% of the total Work Force as on February, 2011 as compared to 4% as on March 1991. The sectors where there has been pronounced changes for the better in the profiles of women employees in the Managerial& Supervisory categories during the same period are Power, Petroleum, Fertilizers , Chemicals & Pharmaceuticals, Consumer Goods, Textiles, Trading & Marketing Services, Contract and Construction Services, Financial Services, Coal & Lignite. Remarkable and outstanding improvements in women moving into Managerial & Supervisory positions have been seen in Transport Services & Tourist Services during the same period.

FORUM OF WOMEN IN PUBLIC SECTOR

  The Standing Conference of Public Enterprises (SCOPE) in collaboration with Bureau of Public Enterprises (BPE), organized a national convention of women in public sector-during October 1989 in New Delhi. The convention was attended by 500 women delegates from all over India who put in their suggestions for the growth of women in public sector. They also felt the need to create a National Network, a support system that would enable them to transform these suggestions into reality with the help of the Public Enterprises and concerned agencies. Thus a Forum of Women in Public Sector (WIPS) was created under the aegis of SCOPE on 12th February, 1990 having a Central Apex Forum in Delhi and four regional Forums in Bombay (Western Region), Chennai(Southern Region), Kolkata (Eastern Region) and Delhi (Northern Region) respectively. The formation of WIPS represents the first ever initiative made by the single largest organized sector in focusing the issues related to advancement of women. While on the one hand women have to take initiatives themselves to meet the job challenges and sustain career growth, managements of the enterprises also need to recognize the changing profile of the work force in enterprises and provide appropriate environment for their advancement and growth.

WIPS Vision

To make the Forum of Women in Public Sector , the largest unified network of working women in India.

WIPS Mission

 To be a dynamic & vibrant forum.
 To enhance professionalism and competence of working women in PSEs.
 To ensure holistic development of women at large.
 To promote an enabling and conducive environment at work place.
 To maximize Corporate Life Membership and Individual Membership.
 To forge liaison with Government agencies / SCOPE for women friendly policies.

WIPS Objectives

A) The Main Objectives of the Forum shall be to :-

 Inspire and Promote the integrated growth of women in public sector and to enhance their effectiveness in employment, in career management, and in overall development as a person.
 Play a catalytic role in improving the status of women in and around public sector undertakings.
 Initiate formation of women cells/advisory forums involving the women employees and as far as possible other employees in each enterprise.
 Identify specific needs of women employees and suggest suitable programmes to be handled at the Regional as well as National Levels.
 Develop an Information Centre/network for wide dissemination of information including a data base of women in public sector.
 Inspire and facilitate gender sensitive governance and gender balance at decision making levels to nurture and evolve socially responsive truly profitable organizations.
 Do all things conducive to the attainment of the above objects.

B) The focus will be on developing an effective, sustainable, and a vibrant network for amity and growth, for knowledge building and management, for maximizing the potential of women towards effective decision making in their spheres, for striving towards equal opportunities for development, and the like .

Women in Public Sector (WIPS)

Source: http://wipssr.blogspot.in/p/about-us_22.html

The growth of public Sector in terms of increase in numbers, investment, turnover, employment and diversity of activities have been phenomenal in last five decades. As on 31.3.2009, the 246 CPSEs employed over 15.35 lakh people (excluding casual workers) . One-fourth of the manpower was in managerial and supervisory cadres. The CPSEs have thus a highly skilled workforce, which is one of their basic strengths. The CPSEs, in turn, provide lifetime employment to their employees.  Out of 15.35 employees, women constitute only around 4.5% as per DPE Report.

Batting for the fairer sex, apex body of public sector units SCOPE today asked the publicsector undertakings (PSUs) to take steps to increase representation of women on their boards. There are over 16 per cent women employees in PSUs, largely at senior middle and middle levels. "Their representation on the Boards of PSUs, however, is negligible," WIPS has been taking up through SCOPE that  PSUs should adopt Board approved policy for promoting gender equality in their organisations".  PSUs have been  advised  to develop company wise gender policy.

Though there is a perceptible increase in no of women going for higher education, both general and technical and taking up employment, the relative proportion of women employees to the total work force and the corresponding increase in the no of women at decision making level is not presentable. Needles to say , that the concern and the problems working women are complex in nature and required in depth  and understanding and analysis . A approach is needed to hardness the full potential of of women and enhance their contribution in the national development process in general and public enterprises in particular.

Is is an attempt to analyse the situation in Indian context, The Bureau of Public Enterprses( DPE) in collaboration with Standing Conference of Public Enter[rise (SCPOPE) organsied a National Convention on women in PSU in  Oct, 1989 in New Delhi. This convention was attended by 500 women delegates from all over India who were concerned about the  growth of women in PSU. They also felt that a need to create a national network , a support system that could enable them to transform some of the concerns in the active programmes with the help of the Govt of India, Public Enterprises and relevant agencies. Thus a Forum of Women in Public Sector (WIPS) was created under the aegis of SCOPE in 1990.

The Forum has come a long way and crossed many milestones with the full fledged support of the PSEs, Banks and insurance companies and the states they belong.

With 20 years of solid foundation, we are happy to share that these organizations are leveraging the vast talent pool of women employees and positioning them into mainstream of the organizations. This has no doubt created more challenging opportunities for them so that their capacity reaches full potential. It is a matter of pride that women workforce are making significant contribution to the organizations they work in to meet the challenges of a globalized world.

Delta Studies Institute (Andhra University)

Source: http://www.petrofest.in/AboutUs.html

Andhra University is one of the pioneering institutions of higher learning known for its highest academic standards.  The department of geology has an expertise available in a variety of disciplines viz., deltaic sedimentalogy, geochemistry, geomorphology, stratigraphy, continental shelf, Bengal fan sediments  and remote sensing applications etc.  A number of research and consultancy projects funded by various governmental organizations have been completed in these areas in during the last four decades of time, after the inception of the Geology Department.  The various sister departments in the fields of earth sciences have contributed significantly in the teaching and research endeavors.  The spinoff of these integrated programmes would naturally be towards the development of earth resource technology in the country and would foster country’s economic growth, meet societal needs and enhance hydrocarbon potentiality.

The potential and promising work was done in studies related to scientific aspects of marine geology, coastal dynamics, deltas, lacustrine and offshore etc., since the inception of this institution, particularly marine geological studies were initiated for the first time in India, as early as in 1952 when Dr. E.C. La Fond, USA visited the University as a visiting professor.  Significant research contributions were made in marine geological studies and thus the Andhra University was foremost in starting different exclusive departments to diversify this new line of research in India.  They include marine geophysics, meteorology and oceanography, marine chemistry, microbiology and geography besides the marine geology wing at the department of geology.  The UGC has recognized the field of marine geology as the thrust area in the Special Assistance Programme of the department since the year 1972. 

The institution naturally attracted the attention of various National Organizations like ONGC, UGC, DOD, MOES, MoEF and DST and sponsored multi disciplinary research programmes for officers of ONGC and University teachers.  The ONGC’s interest with Andhra University is to utilize the expertise and experience of researchers and to understand the complex processes of fixation of hydrocarbons in ancient deltas, which are potential with oil and gas deposits accumulation by the development of different stages of deltaic models.  In this context, it is realized that the database on the modern deltas will help in a big way for oil exploration.  The development and environmental conditions of the Mesozoic and Tertiary deltas, stratigraphic sequences  are of very similar to that of modern deltas.  The dictum, present is key to the past helps to realize the fact that the study of the modern deltas: sedimentary processes, morphology, near shore dynamics and characterization of different environments will help to evaluate the factors controlling hydrocarbon generation, migration and accumulation in ancient deltas.  This is the main justification to initiate deltaic studies on a large scale. 

An exclusive centre was thought of for promoting exploration strategies of hydrocarbons in Indian deltas at Andhra University.  It has a good record of undertaking related research programmes in collaboration with ONGC and almost situated nearer to the exploration area of Krishna-Godavari basin.  In India, oil exploration organizations have no common research center for collective collaborative work, the new Institute make an effort to generate and also integrate the data for better utilization. 

With the initial support from ONGC, OIDB, Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas, Govt. of India and Govt. of Andhra Pradesh, the Delta Studies Institute has been established in the year 1997.  At present it has initiated number of training programmes for ONGC and other oil sector organizations on the modern deltas. 

           

The Institute was established in June 1997 with the financial support of ONGC and Oil Industry Development Board (OIDB) in a sprawling flush green land of 8.78 acres offered by Andhra University.  The Institute is undertaking area specific projects with geoscientific, geotechnical and environmental relevance in Deltaic regions of East Coast of India.  It is also designing and conducting regularly training programmes for professionals in industry and faculty from Universities on emerging areas of hydrocarbon exploration and exploitation.  In addition, DSI is offering a four semester M.Tech programme in Petroleum Exploration from academic year (2006-2007).  This programme, first if its kind in the Universities of Andhra Pradesh, is aimed to train fresh postgraduates in geosciences for entry into the hydrocarbon industry.  DSI has also offer research programmes leading to M.Phil / Ph.D degrees in geosciences. 

IBS Center for Management Research

Source: http://www.icmrindia.org/

ICMR is Asia's most popular repository of management case studies. ICMR Case Collection provides Teachers, Corporate Trainers, and Management Professionals with a variety of teaching and reference material. The collection consists of case studies on a wide range of companies and industries - both Indian and international. 

ICMR is involved in business research, management consulting, and the development of case studies and courseware in management. 

ICMR also provides knowledge process outsourcing services to international clients. Over 10 million copies of ICMR case studies have been printed in international and Indian textbooks, workbooks and case study volumes. More than 200,000 individual copies of our case studies have been purchased by many of the leading business schools and universities around the world. 

Comptroller and Auditor General (C&AG)

Source: http://www.saiindia.gov.in/english/index.html

VISION: The vision of SAI India represents what we aspire to become: We strive to be a global leader and initiator of national and international best practices in public sector auditing and accounting and recognised for independent, credible, balanced and timely reporting on public finance and governance.
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Oil Shale

Source: http://www.dghindia.org/NonConventionalEnergy.aspx?tab=1

Preamble :.

Oil Shales are usually fine-grained sedimentary rocks containing relatively large amounts of organic matter from which significant quantities of shale oil and combustible gas can be extracted by destructive distillation. The product thus generated is known as synthetic crude or more simply, syncrude. Included in most definitions of oil shale, either stated or implied, is the potential for the profitable extraction of shale oil and combustible gas or for burning as a fuel. An oil shale, which has a very high proportion of organic matter in relation to mineral matter, is categorized as a coal. 

Oil shales range in age from Cambrian to Tertiary and occur in many parts of the world. Deposits range in size from small occurrences of little or no economic value to those of enormous size that occupy thousands of square miles and contain many billion barrels of potentially extractable shale oil. Total world resources of oil shale are conservatively estimated at 2.6 trillion barrels. However, petroleum-based crude oil is cheaper to produce than shale oil because of the additional costs of mining and extracting the energy from oil shale. Because of these higher costs, only a few deposits of oil shale are currently being exploited in China, Brazil, and Estonia. However, with the continuing decline of petroleum supplies, accompanied by increasing costs of petroleum, oil shale presents opportunities for supplying some of the fossil energy needs of the world in the years ahead. 

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History of the Oil Shale Industry :.

The use of oil shale for extraction of shale oil is more than 200 years old. An oil shale deposit at Autun, France ,was exploited commercially as early as 1839. The Scottish oil shale industry began about 1859, the year that Colonel Drake drilled his pioneer well at Titusville. As many as 20 beds of oil shale were mined at different times. Mining continued during the 1800s and by 1881 oil shale production had reached one million metric tons per year. With the exception of the World War II years, between 1 and 4 million metric tons of oil shale were mined yearly in Scotland from 1881 to 1955 when production began to decline, then ceased in 1962. Canada produced some shale oil from deposits in New Brunswick and Ontario in the mid-1800s. In Sweden, the alum shale was retorted for hydrocarbons on a small scale in the late 1800s. Production continued through World War II but ceased in 1966 because of the availability of cheaper supplies of petroleum crude oil. 

With the introduction of the mass production of automobiles and trucks in the early 1900s, the supposed shortage of gasoline encouraged the exploitation of oil shale deposits for transportation fuels in the United States of America. Many companies were formed to develop oil shale deposits of the Green River Formation in western United States, especially in Colorado. The US has an estimated 1.8 trillion barrels of oil trapped in shale, most of it concentrated in the Green River Formation, which covers northwest Colorado and parts o Utah and Wyoming. This estimate is more than all the proven reserves of crude oil in the world today. 

In the US, many licenses were issued in the 1970s for exploitation of shale oil. However, after several large-scale mine facilities were developed in the 1970s, the work gradually ceased and the last large-scale mining and retorting facility in western US which was operated by Unocal from 1980, closed down in the year 1991. Unocal produced 4.5 million barrels of oil from oil shale averaging 34 gallons of shale oil per ton of rock over the life of the project. 

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Processes for Syncrude Production & Environmental issues :.

Various technologies for production of syncrude from coal/oil shale are currently known throughout the world. Most of the commercial processes are based on pyrolysis and/or distillation coal/oil shale in a retort to which heat can be supplied either directly through combustion within the retort or indirectly by performing the combustion outside of the retort and contacting hot gases or solids with coal/oil shale feed. Most modern oil shale technology involves variations of directly heated retorting. Some of the well known indirect processes are Lurgi-Ruhrgas, TOSCOII, Union Oil ‘A’ ad ‘B’, Petrosix, Paraho shale oil etc. All processes use the oil shale itself or its by products as the source of heat. 

Retort structures may also be formed underground by a combination of explosive fracturing and mining. This is termed In-Situ Processing. The necessary heat is provided by injecting air or hot gases and steam to sustain movement of the fire front in oil shale formation in either a horizontal or vertically downward mode, causing the shale oil to collect at the bottom of the In-Situ retort, from where it can be pumped to the surface. Geo Kinetics In-Situ and Occidental Modified In-Situ processes are two well known examples. 

The processes of syncrude production results in vast quantities of spent shale. These are absolutely barren and cannot support any vegetation and may also retain toxic ingredients. The disposal of spent shale thus poses a serious environmental challenge. However, the In-Situ process has certain advantages in this aspect. For instance, the disposal of solid wastes is taken care of, the environmental degradation such as deforestation is minimized, the hazardous gases emissions into the atmosphere is contained and problems related to waste water disposal containing toxic elements is substantially reduced. 

The in-situ conversion process has been adopted by Shell in their Mahogany Project in Colorado for the past several years. This technology employs heating elements to raise rock temperatures to required levels for syncrude production. 

During the 3rd meeting of the oil and gas working group in Washington in July, 2006, discussions were held, inter alia, on oil shale with Ms.Brenda Pierce of United States Geological Survey (USGS) and Mr.Ted Murphy, Division Chief, Solid Minerals, Bureau of Land Management (BLM). Both these organizations are under the Dept. of the Interior, United States Government. The discussions centered on the work carried out by USGS and BLM on oil shale and status of oil shale development in USA and regulations regarding leasing of fedral lands for oil shale exploitation. BLM informed that eight (8) leases have been awarded for oil shale RD & D projects to four companies in the states of Colorado, Utah and Wyoming. 

DGH has also initiated a dialogue with the Colorado Energy Research Institute (CERI) for interaction on oil shale. CERI, under the Colorado School of Mines is one of the premier institutes engaged in active oil shale research and development. They organize an exclusive oil shale symposium every year that draws specialists from various countries. DGH has also participated and presented technical paper in this symposium. 

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The Indian Scenario :.

North-East India is endowed with rich deposits of coal. The coal is found in the Barail Formation of Tertiary age. Carbonaceous shale occurs interbedded with the coal. The presence of coal and shale has been recorded in wells drilled for hydrocarbons by ONGC and OIL. These formations outcrop on the surface towards the south of the oil fields in a region called the Belt of Schuppen. Studies have indicated that these coals and carbonaceous shale constitute the principal source rocks that have generated the hydrocarbons produced from the region. 

The favourable characteristics of Assam coal for conversion to liquid fuels have been known for a long time. CFRI (Dhanbad) had carried out a feasibility study on this subject and submitted a report as far back as in 1968. Commonly, the assessment of the yield of hydrocarbons from coal or oil shale is based on pyrolysis or heating under controlled conditions. The standard method has been the Fischer Assay, a scaled down retorting process in which the residue and generated by-products viz. hydrocarbons are collected, measured and chemically analyzed. Evaluation of the yield potential can also be determined quantitatively by another pyrolysis technique called Rock-Eval pyrolysis. In this equipment, small quantities of the sample are pyrolyzed under controlled conditions. The amount of hydrocarbons generated and expelled can be volumetrically determined by this method. 

In the late 1980s, Oil India Limited and Robertson Research Inc. (UK) had analyzed a large number of rock samples obtained from oil wells, outcrops and coal mines in connection with hydrocarbon exploration in the region. The Rock-Eval yields for the coal and carbonaceous shale indicate prolific hydrocarbon potential for Barail Coals, of the order of 280 kgs of hydrocarbons per ton of rock. The Barail Series oil shale gave a maximum yield of about 80 kg hydrocarbons per ton of rock. This compares favourably with some of the yield values obtained from other oil shale deposits in the world. 

In order to assess the viability of syncrude generation from the Assam coal, OIL established a pilot plant for the extraction of oil from the coals of Assam with technology from the USA. 

With respect to oil shale, the current position is that the resources are not known with any measure of confidence. Much more ground work needs to be undertaken before the reserves can be established. Once this is done, selection of the appropriate technology can be taken up. 

The Directorate General of Hydrocarbons (DGH), under the Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas, has embarked on a project for the evaluation of oil shale resources and their syncrude potential in parts of Upper Assam and neighboring area in Arunachal Prdesh. The study which is being carried out by a consortium comprising BRGM, France and MECL, India is expected to provide valuable information on this fossil fuel source. Considering the energy security of our country, the project is of national importance. 

The evaluation of oil shale resources involves field work, mapping, and collection of rock samples from surface exposures, drilling of few core holes, preparation of maps and feasibility studies. The study is expected to be completed by October/November, 2009. 

Phase-I (Sept.2007 to October 2009) 
The contract for the implementation of the oil shale project was signed in September, 2007 between DGH and a consortium comprising BRGM, France and MECL, India. The project envisages assessment of oil shale resources in three discrete adjacent blocks, covering a total area of about 250 sq.km. in the states of Assam and Arunachal Pradesh. The principal work components of the project include geological mapping, sampling and geochemical analysis of oil shale, shallow geophysical survey, shallow drilling for characterizing the oil shales, development of 3-D model and preliminary environmental studies. The project is expected to be completed in the third quarter of the FY 2009-10. Geological mapping and sampling program is in progress. Analytical studies in respect of 150 samples have been completed. Out of the total 3000m of planned drilling activity, about 2500m have been completed. 

Phase-II (November 2009 to October 2011) 
Once the resources of oil shale in the three blocks is determined with a reasonable degree of confidence, the following steps would be required to be taken: 

• Techno-economic feasibility study for extraction of shale oil from these deposits. For the techno-economic analysis, a competent consultant will have to be hired who will carry out the study for DGH.
• Environmental impact assessment study by a reputed agency from India or abroad
• Framing of legislation for simultaneous extraction of coal and oil shale deposits. Since the oil shale occurs inter-bedded with the coal deposits, it follows that the oil shale industry will be supplementary and complementary to the coal mining industry. While the coal can be mined in the same way as it is being done now, the shale which is being discarded as waste would have to be processed for extraction of shale oil using a suitable retorting technology.
• Preparation of Model Production Sharing Contract. This study would have to be outsourced.
• Delineation of blocks for offer under first round of bidding for Oil Shale.
• Preparation of NIO, BEC etc.
• Obtaining necessary clearances from MoEF, MoHA and MoD for the blocks offered.

Phase-III (November 2011 to June 2012) 

• Announcement of first round of bidding for oil shale
• Organizing Road shows in selected places
• Sale of data package
• Opening of data rooms
• Receipt of Bids
• Evaluation of Bids
• Award of Blocks