Qatar has agreed in-principle to supply 20 million tonnes per year of liquefied natural gas (LNG) to India by 2015. A formal agreement to this effect is likely to be reached between the two countries in May 2005.

Going by projected gas demand in India, this quantum would meet one-third of India's gas requirements then.

In January 2005, India reached an agreement with Iran for the supply of 7.5 million tonnes per year of LNG for a 25-year period beginning 2009.

Current Scenario: India currently imports 5 million tonnes per year of LNG from Qatar (RasGas) that is regasified at Petronet LNG's Dahej terminal. Petronet LNG is in the midst of expanding the capacity of the terminal to 10 million tpa, and is also planning to set up a 2.5 million tpa terminal at Kochi in Kerala.

Shell's Hazira 5 million tpa LNG terminal at Hazira, after experiencing minor delays, is likely to be operational, initially at 2.5 million tpa this month. Shell plans to import LNG from Oman, Qatar, Malaysia and Australia. The first consignment, from Australia, is likely to soon arrive at the Indian shores through a 1.30 lakh cu.m. LNG carrier, Gemmata.

 Also See:

India signs pact with Iran for LNG supply (8-Jan-05)

Special Feature: Current Status of LNG projects in India (Dec-04) [PDF format]