London, Aug 22: The Oil and Natural Gas Corporation has raced into a lead in the bid to buy Imperial Energy, the 1.2 billion pound London-based oil exploration and production company.
The Indian Government has given approval to the investment arm of the oil company, ONGC Videsh Ltd., to go ahead with the full bid.
The Indians have shrugged off challenges from China’s Sinopec and KNOC of Korea, and are now in a position to close the deal as early as next week, insiders said.