25-Jul-2022: The Government has set a target to raise the share of natural gas in energy mix to 15% in 2030 from about 6.3% now

The Minister of State for Petroleum and Natural Gas, Shri Rameswar Teli in a written reply to a question in the Rajya Sabha today informed that the Government has set a target to raise the share of natural gas in energy mix to 15% in 2030 from about 6.3% now. To achieve the target, various initiatives have been taken which inter alia include the following:-

1. Expansion of National Gas Grid to about 33,500 Km from current 21,715 Km.
2. Expansion of City Gas Distribution (CGD) network
3. Setting up of Liquefied Natural Gas Terminals.
4. Allocation of domestic gas to Compressed Natural Gas (Transport) / Piped Natural Gas (Domestic) in no cut category.
5. Allowing marketing and pricing freedom to gas produced from high pressure/high temperature areas, deep water & ultra-deep water and from coal seams.
6. Sustainable Alternative Towards Affordable Transportation (SATAT) initiatives to promote Bio-CNG.

Providing Piped Natural Gas (PNG) connections and establishment of Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) stations is part of the development of CGD network and the same is carried out by the entities authorized by Petroleum and Natural Gas Regulatory Board (PNGRB).  The CNG Stations and PNG connections are being provided by authorized entities as per timelines prescribed by PNGRB from time to time.  As on 31.05.2022, total 95.21 lakh PNG (Domestic) connections have been provided and 4531 CNG (Transport) stations have been established by the authorized entities. After completion of 11A city gas distribution (CGD) round, 295 Geographical Areas (GAs) have been authorized which inter alia covers 98% of India’s population and 88% of its GAs.  As per Minimum Work Programme, CGD entities authorized upto 11A round, have to provide 12.33 crore PNG connections and establish 17,700 CNG stations by 2030 including in rural and urban areas.

9-Aug-2021: Government taking various measures to promote use and distributorship of LNG

The Minister of State for Petroleum and Natural Gas, Shri Rameswar Teli in a written reply to a question in the Lok Sabha today informed that the Government is taking various measures to promote use and distributorship of LNG in the country including:

1. Promotion of CGD network for enhanced supply of natural gas including LNG to industrial and commercial customers.
2. Pooling of gas in Fertilizer (Urea) sector.
3. Establishment/capacity enhancement of LNG terminals, re-gasification.
4. Promoting setting up of LNG stations on national highways, golden quadrilateral, etc.
5. Regulatory supports like amendments in Central Motor Vehicle Rules (CMVR), Static and Mobile Pressure Vessel Rules (SMPV), LNG Vehicle type testing Standards, Diesel-LNG Dual Fuel Vehicle policy etc. have been implemented by Government.

5-Aug-2021: Share of Natural Gas in the primary energy mix envisaged to increase to 15% by 2030

The share of natural gas in the primary energy mix is envisaged to increase to 15% by 2030 by boosting domestic production and procuring LNG. LNG imports are under Open General Licensing (OGL) category and establishment of LNG infrastructure, including LNG terminals, is also under 100% FDI (automatic route). The market of natural gas is being created by expansion of gas infrastructure, including City Gas Distribution, Gas Grid Network and establishment of LNG retail outlets.

This Ministry, vide G.S.R. 643 (E), dated 27th June, 2017 has notified mass emission standards for Liquefied Natural Gas- driven vehicles. Ministry vide G.S.R. 1151(E) dated 29th November, 2018 has also notified mass emission norms for agricultural tractors, power tillers, construction equipment vehicles and combined harvesters driven by dual fuel diesel with Liquefied Natural Gas engines.

11-Jul-2021: Shri Nitin Gadkari inaugurates country’s First Private LNG Facility plant at Nagpur

Minister for Road Transport and Highways Shri Nitin Gadkari has emphasized on importance of alternate biofuels for diversification of agriculture towards energy and power sector . Inaugurating the country’s first Private LNG Facility plant at Nagpur today he said  in our economy we are spending 8 lakh crores for the import of petrol diesel and petroleum products which is a big challenge .The Minister said  we have designed a policy that encourages development of imports substitute cost effective pollution free and indigenous  ethanol,  bio CNG,LNG and hydrogen fuels. He said the ministry is constantly working on different alternative fuels. He said we have to use surplus in rice , corn and sugar to prevent it from going waste.

Talking about flex engines Shri Gadkari said decision will be taken in three months making it  mandatory for automobile manufacturers particularly the four wheelers and two wheelers to make flex engine. He said several countries like USA, Canada and Brazil already have them .He said the cost of the vehicle remains the same whether it is petrol or Flex engine.

22-Mar-2021: Supply of Liquefied Natural Gas

At present, the government has accorded highest priority in domestic gas supply to City Gas Distribution (CGD) for distribution to domestic household (cooking purpose-PNG domestic) and transport segment (CNG).The industrial and commercial users of CGD network also consume market determined price gas including LNG based on their respective techno commercial consideration.

At present there is no cross country LNG Pipelines in the country. However, transportation of natural gas through pipelines is an economical and safer mode of transportation and necessary safety measures including use of technology are to be taken by the implementing agency. Petroleum & Natural Gas Regulatory Board (PNGRB), under the PNGRB Act, 2006, has notified Technical and Safety Regulations for Natural Gas Pipelines in line with the various national/ international standards and the authorized pipeline entity are bound to comply the standards/specifications as provided under notified Regulations.

The share of natural gas in primary energy mix is envisaged to increase to 15% by 2030 by boosting domestic production and procuring LNG.LNG imports are under Open General Licensing (OGL) category and establishment of LNG infrastructure, including LNG terminals is also under 100% FDI (automatic route).Market of natural gas is being created by expansion of gas infrastructure including City Gas Distribution, Gas Grid Network and establishment of LNG retail outlets.

Ministry of Road Transport and Highways has notified LNG as transport fuel. LNG Terminals/Pipelines/City Gas Distribution Networks are being established to expand gas market.