ONGC misses the bus again “Will it be Chinese who will outbid ONGC”

ONGC has lost bid to buy US energy major Exxon Mobil's 25% stake in a deep-sea oil block in Angola. ONGC had last year bid around $2.1-2.2 billion for the 25% stake in Block 31 in Angola. It will be fair to guess that it might be a Chinese, Korean or even a Thai company which has bidded more than ONGC.

It is not that ONGC is out of the race. They have an option to hike their bid. But more importantly, if the company at the forefront is not liked by Angolan government, Exxon may be forced to go to other bidder.

ONGC failed to acquire Akpo in the past
ONGC had in 2004-05 lost out on acquiring 45% stake in the giant Akpo oilfield in Angola.
The government had rejected ONGC proposal due to Akpo's ownership issues. After Indian government disallowed ONGC to pursue the Akpo opportunity, China's CNOOC Ltd acquired the 45% stake for $2.268 billion.

Block 31 overview

Block 31 is expected to produce 1,50,000 barrels of crude oil per day (7.5 million tons a year) and output is expected to start in 2012. In all 19 oil discoveries have so far been made in the block. Sonangol is the concessionaire of Block 31. The other interest owners in Block 31 are BP (26.67% and operator), Sonangol P&P (20%), Statoil (13.33%), Marathon (10%) and Total (5%).