India Conducts Dhamra LNG Terminal Groundbreaking Ceremony

Indian oil minister Dharmendra Pradhan attended the ground breaking ceremony of the Dhamra LNG terminal in the eastern Indian state of Odhisa July 8.

The 5mn metric tons/yr capacity LNG import and regasification terminal is expected to be commissioned by 2020-21 at an estimated cost of rupees 60bn ($0.9bn). Construction work of the terminal, which is being built by Indian Oil Corporation, Adani and Gail, is expected to commence in September.

The regasified LNG will be fed into the Jagdishpur-Haldia-Bokaro-Dhamra pipeline project (JHBDPL) and will be a vital link in connecting eastern Indian states to the gas infrastructure of the country, Pradhan said, adding that gas can also be supplied to neighbouring countries like Bangladesh, Bhutan, Nepal and Myanmar.

“India is moving towards a gas based economy but 50% of our gas is still imported through terminals located in Gujarat and one in Maharashtra. In eastern India, Dhamra will have the distinction of hosting the first LNG terminal, which will import gas from countries like US and Qatar,” he said.

The terminal will also meet the gas requirements of Indian Oil’s three refineries located in east India as well as city gas distribution networks coming up in major cities in east India. 

Shardul Sharma