If things go to plan, Gujarat may soon be home to more than a dozen terminals for importing liquefied natural gas (LNG) and liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) in the next few years, with an investment of around Rs 150 billion to Rs 200 billion. Petronet LNG, which has a 15 million ton per annum LNG import terminal at Dahej, is looking to expand its capacity to 20 mtpa. The company signed MoUs with the state government to invest Rs 21 billion for the terminal's expansion, which would include the development of a third jetty and a seventh storage tank.
Shell, which operates a 5 mtpa LNG terminal in Hazira, is looking to double its capacity to 10 mtpa, said a government official. GSPC's 5 mtpa LNG terminal at Mundra has also been commissioned, and its maiden cargo is expected soon. Among other projects, Swan Energy's 5 mtpa floating storage and re-gasification unit (FSRU) off the Jafrabad coast is under development and is likely to be completed by next year. A joint venture of Shapoorji Pallonji and HPCL is also developing a 5 mtpa LNG terminal at Chhara.
At the Vibrant Gujarat Summit, the Essar group signed a MoU to invest Rs 25 billion for developing a 5 mtpa LNG terminal at Hazira in Surat. "From the existing 25 mtpa, we expect LNG terminals' capacity in the state to cross 50 mtpa in the next 3-4 years by way of expansion of existing projects and setting up of new terminals. Gujarat will truly emerge as the gateway for gas markets in North India," said an official.
Meanwhile, four LPG terminals exist in the state already, and at least as many more are coming up. Adani is building an LPG terminal at Mundra, while at the Vibrant Gujarat Summit, Hindustan Petroleum signed MoUs to invest Rs 13.50 billion for LPG import facilities and other projects at Dahej. Last year, Energy Infrastructure Limited was selected by the state government to set up an LPG import terminal project at Okha with an investment of Rs 7 billion. Recently, Shapoorji Pallonji tied up with Vopak India for setting up an LPG terminal and storage project near Chhara with a Rs 14 billion investment.
"A number of LPG import terminals are coming up in the state in view of growing demand for LPG, especially after the implementation of 'Ujjwala Yojana'," said Mukesh Kumar, vice-chairman, and CEO, Gujarat Maritime Board. Furthermore, the country's first CNG import station is also set to come up in Gujarat. The UK-based Foresight Group signed a MoU with the GMB for developing a CNG terminal in the state with an investment of Rs 10 billion.
