New Delhi, Jan. 26 -- State-owned oil and gas explorer Oil India (OIL) and the Assam government may acquire Bharat Petroleum Corporation's entire 61 per cent stake in the Numaligarh Refinery (NRL), retaining the public sector character of the Assam-based entity.

According to official sources, while OIL may pick up close to 48 per cent stake, Assam has indicated to pick up the rest to raise its stake to 26 per cent from 12.4 per cent.

Assam Commerce and Industry Minister Chandra Mohan Patowary recently stated the state government's willingness to pay up to Rs 2,000 crore to pick 13.6 per cent of BPCL stake in the refinery.

Going by this, BPCL's stake in OIL may be worth over Rs 8,000 crore, including control premium. With the Centre own...