India looks to Resume Qatari LNG/LPG Imports Soon

India is looking to turn on the LNG-LPG tap soon from Qatar with Minister of Petroleum and Natural Gas Hardeep Singh Puri completing a two-day visit to the country and meeting with Qatar Energy officials and responsible ministers.

Qatar was contributing some 40% of India’s LNG imports that contributed half of India’s natural gas consumption. India’s first ever LNG imports were intended to come from Ras Laffan, Qatar, some 25 years ago for the troubled Enron power plant in Dabhol. India has since then become a major customer of Qatar, taking in some 15% of its annual LNG production. Citing war, both sides had declared a force majeure termination of contracts.

Qatar produces LPG from its refineries, through a Gas-to-Liquids facility, as well as through natural gas processing, the last being the biggest contributor. Qatar’s LPG provides some 30% of India’s LPG imports. And the current crisis has impacted India’s LPG requirements, much more than even crude oil.