Norwest said it was also planning to recruit Indian technical staff.

The Perth-based petroleum junior entered India in May this year and CEO Joe Salomon told EnergyReview.net he believed India would be the company-maker.

“India is an emerging country, with $US20 billion worth of hydrocarbon imports,” said Salomon, who has worked in the country since 1995.

“While the world looks at China’s growth, India is less noticed. It has a huge energy demand as the country develops and the middle class emerges.”

In a company statment, Salomon said he foresaw huge opportunities in India in the near and long term.

“Our intention to be part of the hydrocarbon exploration and production sector in India is known by the government agencies, and the relevant public and private companies alike,” he said.

“We have the contacts and we have the skills that the country is seeking and consider that we are well positioned to participate in this growth sector.”

Norwest finance director Peter Munachen, who joined Salomon in Delhi last week for the office opening, said India’s huge energy appetite and current import bills were causing concern for the country’s government.

“We have already identified opportunities that we can potentially build on and we will be looking to broaden and strengthen our existing contact base,” said Munachen.

“We have in-country representation for all of our international projects [which are] in countries that have excellent fiscal terms, huge demands for hydrocarbons that elevate the prices, and that are politically stable.”

While in Delhi, Salomon and Munachen attended the signing ceremony for the latest NELP 5 bid round awards as observers. Salomon said the minister for Petroleum and Natural Gas, Shankar Aiyar, spoke about India’s need to develop and optimise its domestic industry with the help of foreign expertise.