Question : NATURAL GAS PIPELINE PROJECTS

(a) the present status of various natural gas pipeline projects including the Bengaluru Project and pipeline from Kochi to Mangalore, State-wise;

(b) whether there have been delays in the construction of these pipeline projects;

(c) if so, the project-wise details thereof and the reasons therefor along with the corrective measures being taken or proposed to be taken by the Government to expedite the construction of these pipeline projects;

(d) the time by which various under-construction pipeline projects are expected to be functional along with its likely impact on the domestic supply of Liquefied Natural Gas in the country; and

(e) the other steps being taken by the Government to meet the future natural gas requirements in the country?

MINISTER OF PETROLEUM & NATURAL GAS (DR. M. VEERAPPA MOILY)

(a) to (e) : A statement is laid on the Table of the House.

STATEMENT REFERRED IN REPLY TO PARTS (a) TO (e) OF LOK SABHA STARRED QUESTION NO. 65 TO BE ANSWERED ON 01.03.2013 REGARDING NATURAL GAS PIPELINE PROJECTS

(a) to (d) : The status of various under construction natural gas pipeline projects is at Annexure-I. The terms of authorization of the pipelines to entities include the time of completion of the pipeline as one of the conditions. During execution, the pipelines get delayed due to problems in obtaining Right of Use (ROU) and law & order etc. In all such cases matter is taken up by the concerned entities with State Governments and local authorities to facilitate obtaining ROU and resolve local problems. The Pipeline in Annexure-I cover States of Tamil Nadu, Karnataka, Kerala, Chhattisgarh, West Bengal, Bihar, Jharkhand, Odisha and Jammu & Kashmir which will get access to Natural Gas including RLNG.

(e): In order to enhance availability of natural gas in the country, Government have taken several steps which inter alia include the following:

(i) Intensification of domestic Exploration & Production (E&P) activities through New Exploration Licensing Policy (NELP) rounds;  

(ii) Exploitation of Coal Bed Methane (CBM) in lease areas of Coal India, its subsidiaries;   

(iii) Development of Shale Gas Policy framework;  

(iv) Research and development of Gas Hydrate resources in the country;  

(v) Import of Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG) from various countries;  

(vi) Transnational pipelines;

(vii) Clearance for exploration and development of some NELP blocks where the same was held up by various agencies;  

(viii) Exploration in the Mining Lease Area has been allowed with certain conditions.   

(ix) Acquisition of Overseas Oil and Gas assets is being pursued in order to enhance energy security for the country.