IOC sets sights on state’s holding in HPL
Kolkata 24-Nov-2011

IndianOil, the Maharatna oil PSU, is keen to buy the state government’s stake in Haldia Petrochemicals. It holds 9.62% in HPL through an investment of Rs 150 crore.

Sources said IOC chairman R S Butola, along with other top officials, would soon meet Bengal chief minister Mamata Banerjee to discuss investment plans in the state and the HPL issue. The entry of IOC, as a possible bidder for HPL, has assumed significance as Reliance too has evinced interest in the petrochem firm.

“As a stakeholder of HPL, IOC will definitely evaluate its options. In fact, top officials of the oil giant are planning to meet the CM and industry minister,” sources added. IOC is also a major supplier of naphtha to HPL.

Incidentally, there are speculations over possible stake sale by the state government. State industries minister Partha Chatterjee has also said that it would appoint SBI Capital Markets for valuation of its stake.

Another ownership issue that is yet to be resolved is the transfer of 15.5 crore shares of HPL to TCG group by West Bengal Industrial Development Corporation (WBIDC). The state government has decided to take legal opinion on this issue. Going by the present shareholding status, HPL has paid up equity of Rs 1,560 crore or 156 crore shares of Rs 10 each. Besides, it has 271 crore preference shares which don’t have voting rights. If one sets aside the 15.5 crore shares, which is the focal point of controversy, then the Chatterjee Group has 69 crore shares, which is not disputed and implies around 44% stake.

The state government holds 52 crore shares in HPL through WBIDC that is around 34%. IOC holds 15 crore shares which is 9.62% and Tata Group has 4.5 crore shares. “Interestingly, 15.5 crore shares hold the key. If it is added with TCG holding then it gets clear majority because 50% of 156 crore shares is 78 crore. Now, TCG holds 69 crore shares. Similarly, if it is counted in favour of WBIDC, then it will have 67.5 crore share. So, if you add IOC and Tata holding with this then it would come to 87 crore, which is around 55%, a clear majority,” a financial analyst said. Analysts feel that valuation of government holding will be ranging from Rs 1,500 crore to Rs 2,100 crore depending on whether it has 52 crore shares or 67.5 crore shares.

It may be noted that the petrochem outfit is now facing a tough time. The combined effect of downcycle in petrochemicals and shut downs had translated into Rs 418 crore loss for HPL in the first six months of this fiscal (2011-12). It may witness erosion of close to 50% of the pick networth by end of this fiscal. Sources close to the development said that the petrochem firm may plunge into over Rs 500 crore loss in 2011-12, following the downturn in petrochemical industry started last December.

The following terms and conditions will be deemed to have been accepted by the User on usage of the website www.iocl.com. You are requested to read them carefully before you use the services of this site.

The term User shall refer to the user who is browsing the site. The term IndianOil shall refer to Indian Oil Corporation Limited. The term Site refers to www.iocl.com owned and monitored by IndianOil.
By using the Site, you agree to follow and be bound by the following terms and conditions concerning your use of the Site. IndianOil may revise the Terms of Use at any time without notice to you. Areas of the Site may have different terms of use posted. If there is a conflict between the Terms of Use and terms of use posted for a specific area of the Site, the latter shall have precedence with respect to your use of that area of the Site.
ndianOil may terminate User's access at any time for any reason. The provisions regarding to disclaimer of warranty, accuracy of information, and indemnification shall survive such termination. IndianOil may monitor access to the Site.
All content present on this site is the exclusive property of IndianOil. The software, text, images, graphics, video and audio used on this site belong to IndianOil. No material from this site may be copied, modified, reproduced, republished, uploaded, transmitted, posted or distributed in any form without prior written permission from IndianOil. All rights not expressly granted herein are reserved. Unauthorized use of the materials appearing on this site may violate copyright, trademark and other applicable laws, and could result in criminal or civil penalties. IndianOil is a registered trademark of Indian Oil Corporation Ltd. This trademark may not be used in any manner without prior written consent from IndianOil.
IndianOil does not make any warranties, express or implied, including, without limitation, those of merchantability and fitness for a particular purpose, with respect to any information, data, statements or products made available on the Site.
The Site, and all content, materials, information, software, products and services provided on the Site, are provided on an "as is" and "as available" basis. IndianOil expressly disclaims all warranties of any kind, whether express or implied, including, but not limited to, the implied warranties of merchantability, fitness for a particular purpose and non-infringement.
IndianOil shall have no responsibility for any damage to User's computer system or loss of data that results from the download of any content, materials, information from the Site.
IndianOil may change or discontinue any aspect of its website at any time, including, its content or features. IndianOil reserves the right to change the terms and conditions applicable to use of the Site. Such changes shall be effective immediately upon notice, which shall be placed on the Site.
In no event will IndianOil be liable for damages of any kind, including without limitation, direct, incidental or consequential damages (including, but not limited to, damages for lost profits, business interruption and loss of programs or information) arising out of the use of or inability to use IndianOil's website, or any information provided on the website, or in the Products any claim attributable to errors, omissions or other inaccuracies in the Product or interpretations thereof. Some jurisdictions do not allow the limitation or exclusion of liability. Accordingly, some of the above limitations may not apply to the User.
User agrees to indemnify, defend and hold IndianOil harmless from and against all losses, expenses, damages and costs, including reasonable attorneys' fees, arising out of or relating to any misuse by the User of the content and services provided on the Site.
The information contained in the Site has been obtained from sources believed to be reliable. IndianOil disclaims all warranties as to the accuracy, completeness or adequacy of such information.
IndianOil makes no warranty that: (a) the Site will meet your requirements; (b) the Site will be available on an uninterrupted, timely, secure, or error-free basis; (c) the results that may be obtained from the use of the Site or any services offered through the Site will be accurate or reliable.
The User's right to privacy is of paramount importance to IndianOil. Any information provided by the User will not be shared with any third party. IndianOil reserves the right to use the information to provide the User a more personalized online experience.
The Site provides links to web sites and access to content, products and services from third parties, including users, advertisers, affiliates and sponsors of the Site. You agree that IndianOil is not responsible for the availability of, and content provided on, third party web sites. The User is requested to peruse the policies posted by other web sites regarding privacy and other topics before use. IndianOil is not responsible for third party content accessible through the Site, including opinions, advice, statements and advertisements, and User shall bear all risks associated with the use of such content. IndianOil is not responsible for any loss or damage of any sort User may incur from dealing with any third party.

The term User shall refer to the user who is browsing the site. The term IndianOil shall refer to Indian Oil Corporation Limited. The term Site refers to www.iocl.com owned and monitored by IndianOil.
By using the Site, you agree to follow and be bound by the following terms and conditions concerning your use of the Site. IndianOil may revise the Terms of Use at any time without notice to you. Areas of the Site may have different terms of use posted. If there is a conflict between the Terms of Use and terms of use posted for a specific area of the Site, the latter shall have precedence with respect to your use of that area of the Site.
ndianOil may terminate User's access at any time for any reason. The provisions regarding to disclaimer of warranty, accuracy of information, and indemnification shall survive such termination. IndianOil may monitor access to the Site.
All content present on this site is the exclusive property of IndianOil. The software, text, images, graphics, video and audio used on this site belong to IndianOil. No material from this site may be copied, modified, reproduced, republished, uploaded, transmitted, posted or distributed in any form without prior written permission from IndianOil. All rights not expressly granted herein are reserved. Unauthorized use of the materials appearing on this site may violate copyright, trademark and other applicable laws, and could result in criminal or civil penalties. IndianOil is a registered trademark of Indian Oil Corporation Ltd. This trademark may not be used in any manner without prior written consent from IndianOil.
IndianOil does not make any warranties, express or implied, including, without limitation, those of merchantability and fitness for a particular purpose, with respect to any information, data, statements or products made available on the Site.
The Site, and all content, materials, information, software, products and services provided on the Site, are provided on an "as is" and "as available" basis. IndianOil expressly disclaims all warranties of any kind, whether express or implied, including, but not limited to, the implied warranties of merchantability, fitness for a particular purpose and non-infringement.
IndianOil shall have no responsibility for any damage to User's computer system or loss of data that results from the download of any content, materials, information from the Site.
IndianOil may change or discontinue any aspect of its website at any time, including, its content or features. IndianOil reserves the right to change the terms and conditions applicable to use of the Site. Such changes shall be effective immediately upon notice, which shall be placed on the Site.
In no event will IndianOil be liable for damages of any kind, including without limitation, direct, incidental or consequential damages (including, but not limited to, damages for lost profits, business interruption and loss of programs or information) arising out of the use of or inability to use IndianOil's website, or any information provided on the website, or in the Products any claim attributable to errors, omissions or other inaccuracies in the Product or interpretations thereof. Some jurisdictions do not allow the limitation or exclusion of liability. Accordingly, some of the above limitations may not apply to the User.
User agrees to indemnify, defend and hold IndianOil harmless from and against all losses, expenses, damages and costs, including reasonable attorneys' fees, arising out of or relating to any misuse by the User of the content and services provided on the Site.
The information contained in the Site has been obtained from sources believed to be reliable. IndianOil disclaims all warranties as to the accuracy, completeness or adequacy of such information.
IndianOil makes no warranty that: (a) the Site will meet your requirements; (b) the Site will be available on an uninterrupted, timely, secure, or error-free basis; (c) the results that may be obtained from the use of the Site or any services offered through the Site will be accurate or reliable.
The User's right to privacy is of paramount importance to IndianOil. Any information provided by the User will not be shared with any third party. IndianOil reserves the right to use the information to provide the User a more personalized online experience.
The Site provides links to web sites and access to content, products and services from third parties, including users, advertisers, affiliates and sponsors of the Site. You agree that IndianOil is not responsible for the availability of, and content provided on, third party web sites. The User is requested to peruse the policies posted by other web sites regarding privacy and other topics before use. IndianOil is not responsible for third party content accessible through the Site, including opinions, advice, statements and advertisements, and User shall bear all risks associated with the use of such content. IndianOil is not responsible for any loss or damage of any sort User may incur from dealing with any third party.

IndianOil in Media