The Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas, Government of India, in association with the Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FICCI), is organizing the 2nd India-Africa Hydrocarbons Conference in New Delhi on December 7-8, 2009. The objective of the Conference is to bring together Ministers in-charge of oil and gas, top Government officers and captains of the industry for exploring partnership opportunities. India and several African countries have a dynamic hydrocarbon sector and have been partners in the progress of this important sector. India has invested significantly in exploration and production of hydrocarbon resources in African countries, particularly Sudan, Nigeria, Libya, Egypt, Gabon and Congo Brazzaville. India has provided African countries like Nigeria, Angola, Egypt and Sudan market for export of their crude oil. India is also engaged with Africa in the field of retail of petroleum products, building of oil storage terminals, refinery upgradation and training & consultancy services. India offers African countries a huge market for hydrocarbons. The country has emerged as a leading refining hub, exporting over $25 billion worth petroleum products annually. India has proven expertise in refining, consultancy, training, infrastructural development, etc. There is an immense potential for mutually beneficial business tie-ups in the sector between India and several African countries. This Conference will help to create better understanding of the capabilities of African countries in the field of oil and gas and, in the process, build strong partnership of strategic dimension between Africa and India. It will offer an opportunity to all stakeholders in the hydrocarbons sector to interact closely and discuss potential tie-ups in the form of equity investments, joint ventures, technology transfer, supply of equipment, consultancy services, etc. The leading Indian companies like Oil and Natural Gas Corporation (ONGC), Indian Oil Corporation Limited (IOCL), Bharat Petroleum Corporation Limited (BPCL), Hindustan Petroleum Corporation Limited (HPCL), GAIL (India) Limited, Engineers India Limited (EIL), Petronet LNG Ltd, Reliance Industries Ltd., Essar Oil Ltd., L&T, Videocon, Suntera and TATA will be participating in the Conference. India's upstream regulator, Directorate General of Hydrocarbons (DGH) as well as downstream regulator, Petroleum and Natural Gas Regulatory Board (PNGRB) would be sharing their expertise with participants. 1st India-Africa Hydrocarbons Conference The first India-Africa Hydrocarbons Conference was held in November 2007 and was a great success, with participation from 25 countries in Africa. The interactions between Indian oil and gas sector representatives and their African counterparts at the first India-Africa Hydrocarbons Conference facilitated the following framework for cooperation : Hydrocarbon cooperation agreements between India and the various African countries covering exploration & production (E&P) and downstream policy issues, joint development of E&P and Refining businesses; Increased trade of crude oil and petroleum products between India and Africa. Cooperation in the area of Research & Development and technology transfer; Training in India of technical and managerial personnel of the African oil industry.