Petronet LNG: powering India’s bold ambitions in natural gas

For over 27 years, Petronet LNG Limited (PLL) has been a driving force in India’s LNG landscape. As a pioneer and leading player in LNG import, storage and regasification, PLL has been consistently demonstrating excellence, innovation and foresight in shaping and supporting India’s move towards a gas-based economy.

With a combined regasification capacity of 22.5 MTPA, PLL commands a share of around 43% of India’s total existing capacity, handling more than two-thirds of the nation’s LNG imports. This underscores PLL’s critical role in meeting India’s growing gas demands while supporting its transition to cleaner fuels.

Strategic infrastructure of national importance

PLL operates two state-of-the-art terminals: Dahej (17.5 MTPA) in Gujarat and Kochi (5 MTPA) in Kerala. Together, these facilities contribute over 33% of India’s natural gas supply.

Dahej terminal is one of the busiest LNG regasification terminals globally, handling around 260+ ships a year and achieving a utilisation level of over 95%, exceeding global averages. Meanwhile, the Kochi terminal stands out as India’s only facility offering services like Gassing Up & Cooling Down (GUCD), LNG bunkering and reload services.

Safety and operational excellence

PLL’s commitment to safety and operational excellence has earned prestigious accolades. PLL’s Kochi & Dahej LNG terminals received the British Safety Council’s Five-Star Rating and the prestigious “Sword of Honour” for Occupational Health & Safety, consecutively for two years (2023 and 2024), reflecting PLL’s dedication to world-class safety standards. These are the only terminals in India to have received such accolades.

Fuelling the future

PLL currently holds long-term LNG Sales & Purchase Agreements totalling ~10 MTPA, including recently renewed 7.5 MTPA LNG SPA with QatarEnergy for 20 years from 2028 till 2048, reinforcing its enduring commitment to India’s energy security.

Aligning with India’s energy vision

Natural gas currently comprises 6.7% of India’s energy mix. The Indian government aims to increase this to 15% by 2030. Massive investments are being directed towards expanding gas infrastructure, including pipelines, LNG terminal, city gas distribution networks and Small-Scale LNG (SSLNG) in India. LNG is central to achieving this goal and PLL is at the heart of this transformation through investments in RLNG terminal operations, Compressed Biogas (CBG) initiatives and promotion of LNG in transportation.

By expanding Dahej terminal to 22.5 MTPA, constructing third jetty at the Dahej LNG Terminal, developing a new 5 MTPA RLNG terminal in Gopalpur (Odisha), setting up CBG plants and LNG dispensing stations across the country, PLL is strengthening energy accessibility, building a cleaner and sustainable energy future for India.

Diversification redefined: creating synergy through integration

By making a strategic foray into petrochemicals, PLL is setting up 750 KTA PDH-PP plant at Dahej using propane as feedstock. This project stands out for its integration with existing LNG facilities leveraging LNG cold energy in the PDH process and sharing utilities to enhance energy efficiency and cost optimisation.

The project is also distinguished by the jetty’s unique capability to handle propane and ethane in addition to LNG, an efficient integration on feedstock management, setting a benchmark for integrated infrastructure.

Exploring strategic partnerships

PLL serves as a key partner for LNG suppliers and portfolio holders, offering an opportunity to build long-term relationships in the evolving LNG, natural gas and petrochemical market. PLL is engaging with suppliers for sourcing propane, LNG and ethane to meet India’s growing energy demand.

As India advances its energy transition and embraces a gas-based economy, PLL’s unwavering commitment to sustainability, diversification and strategic partnerships ensures it remains at the forefront of this journey.