Who will be the next ONGC Big Boss ?

Come Oct 19, the interviews begin. The appointment is crucial, as India’s most profitable co till 2007-08, ONGC,  has been punching below its weight.

Running ONGC is a complex job. It calls for keeping both the oil ministry and shareholders happy. It calls for making profits, as well as giving up profits in the name of national interest. It calls for domestic consolidation and overseas expansion. It calls for motivating a workforce that is aging and disengaged. Inside, ET maps out the attributes required of the CMD to breathe new life into the 1,01,663-crore company.

Here are the 5 frontrunners...

Ravi Bastia

Age: 52

President-Operations , RIL

Had applied in 2006 also.

The ex-ONGC man is a geologist and is credited for the big RIL discovery in K-G basin. However, compared to others, he’s logged fewer years in the business and lacks experience of mega projects.

His 14-year association with RIL may also go against him.

D K Sarraf

Age: 51

Director (Finance), ONGC

Meticulous in his ways, Sarraf makes a case with his solid grounding in several areas of the business: understanding of the oil industry, experience of overseas acquisitions and joint ventures.

C N Trivedi

Age: 55

ED-Petrochemicals , GAIL

An ex-ONGC man, he’s been with GAIL since 1993 and is credited with building its petrochemicals business. Technically sound and wellrespected in GAIL.

R K Tyagi

Age: 55

CMD, Pawan Hans

Most experienced ONGC candidate. Has been on deputation for three years at an associate company. Said to be transformational and with the right political backing.

He is known for his integrity and has high acceptability in ONGC.

S Vasudeva

Age: 56

Director (Offshore)

Media-savvy. Least experienced ONGC candidate, which may not be acceptable to older board members. Under his watch, there’s been a drop in offshore production.

Source : ET