India’s Sep LNG imports rise

India’s imports of liquefied natural gas (LNG) increased in September on a yearly basis after a drop in August, according to the latest data from oil ministry’s Petroleum Planning and Analysis Cell (PPAC).

India imported 2.41 billion cubic meters of LNG or about 1.78 million mt last month, a rise of 4.8 percent as compared to September 2016.

The costs of these imports were at $0.6 billion compared to $0.5 billion in September last year, the PPAC data shows.

Domestic natural gas production continued to rise in September. India’s natural gas production increased 4.7 percent to 2.72 Bcm, PPAC said.

In the April-September period, India imported 12.44 Bcm of LNG, down 1.6 percent on year.

India’s appetite for LNG is expected to rise over the coming years driven by the demand in the gas-to-power sector and a push by the government to increase the usage of gas in the country’s overall energy mix.

The country currently imports LNG via Petronet’s Dahej and Kochi LNG terminals, Shell’s Hazira plant, and the Dabhol terminal operated by Ratnagiri Gas and Power.

LNG World News Staff