QUITO, Jan. 29 (Xinhuanet) -- India offered technological cooperation with Ecuador in the petroleum sector, said Ecuadorian Energy and Mining Minister Eduardo Lopez on Saturday after an official visit to the Asian country.

    An agreement was signed by Eduardo Lopez and his Indian counterpart, Shri Mani Shankar Aiyar, according to a statement released on Saturday.

    The agreement designated two companies -- the Ecuadorian national petroleum company Petroecuador and ONGC Videsh Limited (OVL) from India, to actively work in joint projects in the hydrocarbons sector.

    OVL will train Ecuadorian scientists and engineers in the areasof oil exploration, production, security, environmental management,international trade, among others.

    It will also provide support in research and development.

    The Ecuadorian minister said India is a country of rich experience in the field of petroleum, especially the petrochemicalsector, and is interested in investing in a refinery in Ecuador. Enditem