Petronet LNG Ltd. has chosen Gaz de France as its strategic partner for developing several liquefied natural gas (LNG) projects in India.
Petronet LNG expects to construct a number of LNG receiving terminals along the western coast of India, starting with one at Dahej in Gujarat, and one at Cochin in Kerala. The Dahej terminal will have a capacity of 5 million metric tons/year, while the size of the Cochin terminal will be 2.5 million tons/year.
Petronet LNG is a subsidiary of Petronet India Ltd., the state pipeline firm.
The company is now in the process of short-listing LNG suppliers, with whom it will sign long-term purchase contracts. Gaz de France, one of the world's largest importers of LNG, will assist Petronet LNG in this endeavor.
Petronet LNG has sent commercial packages to the seven suppliers being considered: Total of France, Ras Laffan LNG Co. of Qatar, Woodside Petroleum Ltd. of Australia, Pertamina of Indonesia, Petronas of Malaysia, Chevron Asiatic Ltd. of Australia, and Shell International Petroleum Co. Ltd. of the U.K.
"We have received offers from several LNG suppliers, of which we have short-listed seven," said Petronet LNG. "We have requested these seven to submit their commercial offers by June 15, after which we will select the final suppliers with the help of Gaz de France. Actual imports of LNG will start immediately thereafter."
Petronet LNG is also exploring the commercial feasibility of setting up a 2.3 million ton/year shipboard regasification terminal (see related story, p. 39). Such a terminal would be on stream by first quarter 2001.
The company clarified that this would be a temporary measure and would only be used until permanent facilities were commissioned.
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