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Indian LNG imports up 54pc in five years https://www.petroleum-economist.com/articles/midstream-downstream/lng/2020/indian-lng-imports-up-54pc-in-five-years | "While LNG volumes are increasing rapidly, the uneven distribution of infrastructure means that bottlenecks remain a barrier to growth"
Gujarat vs Kerala. Look at the utilisation numbers. Numbers don’t lie! The #GujaratModel is an actual thing
Petronet eyes 2019 rescue for nearly idle $700 million Kochi LNG terminal (2017) https://www.livemint.com/Industry/AXNGKBiudeRvXGmGBF5AnO/Petronet-eyes-2019-rescue-for-nearly-idle-700-million-Kochi.html | "Petronet's LNG terminal in Kochi is operating at about 10% capacity because GAIL couldn't complete its Kochi-Mangalore gas pipeline because of resistance from land owners"
The only LNG terminal in South India is operating at about 10% of its 5 million-tonne-a-year capacity
Capacity use may increase to 2 million tonne annually after a 1,100km gas pipeline, being built by GAIL connecting consumers such as MRPL which is expected to be completed by the end of 2018
The terminal has been mostly idle since its 2013 commissioning as GAIL could not complete its Kochi-Mangalore pipeline because of resistance from land owners.
GAIL restarted work after PM Modi’s government, which aims to build 15,000km of gas pipelines, prodded provincial governments to resolve the disputes.
The LNG terminal currently has only two local customers; BPCL's Kochi refinery & Fertilisers and Chemicals Travancore Ltd (FACT) restricting imports to one shipment every two months - This is "criminal" level under-utilization!
Why a gas pipeline is triggering anger in Kerala? (2017) https://indianexpress.com/article/explained/why-gail-project-gas-pipeline-is-triggering-anger-in-kerala-4977006/ | The Kochi-Koottanad-Bengaluru-Mangaluru Pipeline (KKBMPL) which should have been commissioned in 2013 revised its deadline to February 2019
The pipeline route
GAIL conceived a pipeline from Kochi to Mangaluru & Bengaluru in 2007. The Kerala leg began in 2012. It was to be completed in 2013. However, the project faced stiff resistance from farmers & landowners who had the backing of political parties
Political parties including the Congress and CPM backed the protest until recently, but have backtracked for fear of being seen as “anti-development”
Parties such as the Social Democratic Party of India (SDPI) & the Jamaat-e-Islami’s Solidarity Youth Movement are currently driving the agitation. Despite the disruption attempts, GAIL has managed to continue laying the pipeline, albeit under heavy police protection.
GAIL’s 444 km natural gas pipeline in the fast lane, finally (2019) https://www.newindianexpress.com/states/kerala/2019/dec/18/gails-444km-natural-gas-pipeline-in-the-fast-lane-finally-2077660.html | Pipeline up to Kozhikode to be commissioned in February 2020 & the Mangaluru line in March 2020. Work on remaining 2.5km stretch in progress across five rivers
Progress report based on the December 2019. I would assume the commissioning is further delayed until H2 2020 because of the lockdown.
By the way the fuel is now “natural gas”. It is not in liquid form anymore
By the way the fuel is now “natural gas”. It is not in liquid form anymore
The work in TN for the Kochi to Bengaluru pipeline has not started & discussions are in progress for final clearance from the TN govt. The protests here are led by the AIKS which is part of CPI https://www.newsclick.in/farmers-protest-GAIL-pipeline-through-farm-lands The hope is that the pipeline is completed sooner than later!
The summary of the Kochi LNG project is sadly symptomatic of key energy infrastructure projects in India. A project conceived in 2007, partly commissioned in 2013 & then underutilized for 7 years. In the next year we can hopefully see the completion of the pipeline to Mangaluru
The next challenge will be to start work on the pipeline to Bengaluru that goes through TN & target a swift commissioning in the next 2 years. It is heartening to note that @narendramodi ji is a huge supporter of natural gas. Hence my confidence of a speedy completion
