Oil India is in talks with stakeholders to restart drilling in Libya, thirteen years after the company exited the country due to political instability, a top company official told Reuters.
“Because of some issues there was a haitus. There is a resumption of talks,” Oil India chairman Ranjit Rath told Reuters on the sidelines of the India Energy Week conference.
“We have a long-term risk-taking ability for overseas assets, Rath said.
Earlier in the day, a source familiar with the matter said that the company was looking for more foreign assets and is in talks to restart drilling in Libya.
The source spoke on condition of anonymity because the person was not authorized to speak to media.
Shares of the state-run oil explorer jumped as much as 12.4% to a record high of 516.40 rupees on Tuesday.
The source said the company was in talks over two blocks in Libya, without giving a timeline for a possible deal.