ONGC Videsh Ltd, the overseas arm of state-owned Oil and Natural Gas Corp (ONGC), is seeking $537 million worth of crude oil in lieu of cash due for its share of sales from a Venezuelan oilfield. OVL owns 40 per cent of the San Cristobal field and had invested about $190 million in the project in 2008.

To buy 11 per cent stake in an oil project in Venezuela, ONGC Videsh, the overseas arm of State-owned Oil & Natural Gas Corp (ONGC), and its partners OIL and IOC are planning. Petroliam Nasional Bhd, Malaysia's State-run oil company, has decided to withdraw from the Carabobo-I project following dispute over terms with Venezuela's state explorer Petroleos de Venezuela SA (PdVSA).