India's engagement with African countries in the petroleum sector continues on an upswing. The crude oil import from Africa between April and December 2015 stood at over 29 million metric tonnes. Angola and Egypt are the other countries from where substantial quantities of petroleum was imported during this period. Giving this information in the Lok Sabha today, Petroleum Minister Dharmendra Pradhan said this is in line with India's efforts to diversify its energy sources. Indian public sector refineries are in constant touch with their African counterparts on purchasing oil and gas on mutually agreed prices. In reply to another question the Minister said they have interest in oil and gas companies in Nigeria, Sudan, South Sudan, Mozambique, Libya and Gabon.