(a) whether the attention of the Government has been drawn to the news item `India exploring ways to import LNG` appeared in the Hindu dated July 26, 2002;
(b) if so, whether the Government have negotiated with a number of countries to import LNG;
(c) if so, the details thereof; and
(d) the present status of the import of LNG through pipelines or by other ways from foreign countries?
MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF PETROLEUM AND NATURAL GAS AND MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF PARLIAMENTARY AFFAIRS (SHRI SANTOSH KUMAR GANGWAR)
(a) to (d): Yes, Sir. Liquified Natural Gas (LNG) is in Open General License (OGL) list and there are number of initiatives to import LNG by public as well as private companies, both on the West and East coast.
An agreement for supply of Liquified Natural Gas (LNG) was signed between RasGas of Qatar and Petronet LNG Limited (PLL) in July, 1999. The agreement is for supply of 7.5 Million Metric Tonnes Per Annum (MMTPA) of LNG, 5 MMTPA for Dahej and 2.5 MMTPA for Cochin Terminal.
The mechanical completion of the Dahej terminal project is scheduled for December, 2003.