ONGC Mittal Energy Limited plans to begin the Phase I of hydrocarbon exploration in OPL-285 in Nigeria by August 2009.

OPL-285 is a deepwater block, where OMEL, through OMEL Energy Nigeria holds 64.33% participating interest and operatorship. The other partners in the block are EMO (10 per cent).

A local Nigerian company, and TOTAL (25.67 per cent interest).

OMEL through its wholly owned subsidiary OMEL Exploration & Production Nigeria also holds 45.5% participating interest and operatorship in OPL-279 another deepwater offshore exploration block in Nigeria. The other partners in the block are EMO with 40% stake and TOTAL with 14.5% participating interest.

(Sourced from Project Today)