The British Gas Group has planned to invest $1 billion in its Indian operations over the next few years. So far, the group, over its decade-long existence in the country, has invested $500 million.

The group has reiterated its commitment to India and has attributed its focus to a combination of factors including population size, economic development rate and a robust commercial framework. India features amongst the six focus countries for growth for the group.

BG India operates its business through four companies, BG Exploration & Production India Ltd (BGEPIL), Gujarat Gas Company (GGCL), Mahanagar Gas Ltd (MGL) and Iqara.

The company envisages to make additional investments in strengthening its infrastructure for transmission and distribution of natural gas and exploration and production. The group has envisaged LNG as the key focus area in the coming years.

BG India through BGEPIL along with its consortium partners Oil & Natural Gas Corporation (ONGC) and the Reliance Group, has initiated a two-stage expansion programme in the offshore Panna, Mukta and Tapti fields at an estimated cost of $278 million.

For the group, LNG contributed £945 million in its overall turnover of £3,587 million in 2003. While its exploration and production contributed £1,794 million, power generation accounted for £184 million.