New Delhi: Gujarat plans to set up its fourth liquefied natural gas (LNG) terminal at the Pipavav port soon besides commissioning the 5-MT capacity greenfield LNG terminal at Mundra by 2015-16, the state's principal secretary for energy, DJ Pandian, said.
"We want one more LNG terminal at Pipavav port, which will have 2.5 MT to 5 MT capacity. Many companies have expressed interest in the project," Pandian told ET. The state already has terminals at Dahej and Hazira and a third one is coming up in Mundra.
"Companies like Torrent, BPCL and HPCL are interested in Pipavav project. The project would be launched soon," Pandian said.
He said many companies were interested in picking up 25% equity stake in Rs 3,500 crore Mundra LNG terminal project. "A strategic partner would be inducted by 2013," he said.
GSPC, owned by Gujarat government, wants to develop the project before inducting a new partner, a company official said. "We will invest Rs 60-100 crore in next 6-12 months before inducting a new partner," said the official who did not wish to be named. GSPC has 50% equity stake in the terminal and Adani group holds 25%. Essar group, which initially held 25% stake in the project, exited the venture.
The company plans to source gas from Australia and Egypt for the Mundra terminal. Pandian said Gujarat had emerged as LNG hub of the country and has appetite for new capacities.
Hazira and Dahej terminals have combine capacity of over 13 MT and there is a scope for two more terminals, he said.
The Saumitra Chaudhuri committee report estimates that the domestic gas output would reach to 199 million metric standard cubic meters per day (mmscmd) by 2016-17, but demand would outstrip supply.
No comments:
Post a Comment