New Delhi: Gail India has commissioned the 5 million tonne capacity liquefied natural gas (LNG) terminal at Dabhol facility in Maharashtra and plans to double its capacity by 2016 in a phased manner, state gas utility chairman BC Tripathi said.
Gail had imported a shipload of LNG for commissioning the Dabhol terminal in March last year but the operations had to be aborted midway after two successive equipment failures.
"The Dabhol terminal will serve as a gateway for entry of natural gas to the southern and western parts of the country," Tripathi said. The company is planning to import about half a dozen LNG cargoes in next three-four months, he said.
The first cargo is expected to arrive at the terminal from Russia by the end of this month.
Gail has long-term LNG import contract with Russian energy major Gazprom. Tripathi said the focus of the company is to complete construction of break-water facility, which will help in expanding the terminal's capacity to 7.5 mmtpa in next two years and finally to 10 mmtpa in 2016.
The terminal is operated by Ratnagiri Gas and Power Private limited (RGPPL), a joint venture of Gail and state power utility NTPC. India is focusing on import of gas as it has faced a steep fall in domestic output.
The country has two operational terminals at Dahej and Hazira. "Commissioning of Dabhol terminal at this crucial juncture shall facilitate higher volumes of LNG imports for securing energy for the country," Tripathi said. Gail expects that the break-water facility will be completed this financial year. The company had mechanically completed the terminal two years ago.
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