Royal Dutch (Shell) is likely to bid along with Total of France for supplying LNG to NTPC's Kawas and Gandhar projects.

Shell, which is in the fray for both supply of 3 million tpa of LNG and for providing import and regassification facilities, has sought an extension of the bidding deadline from 27 April 2004 to 18 May 2004, so as to firm up its tie-up with Total's subsidiary Yemen LNG.

Total, it may be mentioned, acquired 26 per cent stake in Shell's Hazira LNG terminal project in Gujarat, and holds 36 per cent stake in Yemen LNG.

NTPC has got three bids for supply of LNG for its Kawas and Gandhar projects (each 650 MW). Besides Yemen LNG, the other bidders are Shell (through Hazira LNG terminal) and Petronet LNG (through the Dahej terminal). Reliance Industries has also bid for the supply of natural gas.

Shell and Total, it is understood, will synchronize their bids so as to import LNG from Yemen LNG and regassify it at Hazira.