Doris Leblond
OGJ Correspondent
PARIS, Oct. 6 -- In the framework of its status as a "strategic partner" of India's Petronet LNG, Gaz de France (GDF) has signed a service contract to train a team of Indian technicians who will be called upon to operate Dahej LNG terminal, which lies in Gujarat state in northeastern India.
The contract also provides for subsequent technical assistance for the operation and maintenance of the equipment over 20-month period. GDF holds a 10% stake in Petronet LNG since June 2001 and also has been involved in the Dahej project.
The project involves the construction of a 5 million tonne/year LNG regasification terminal. LNG will be supplied by Qatar where RasGas is building a new liquefaction train; the project also includes two methane carriers being built in South Korea.
First LNG deliveries to the Dahej terminal are expected in early 2004. The regasified LNG will supply Gujarat and India's northwest states through a 1,750 km pipeline extending to New Delhi.
Total cost of the LNG chain is estimated at $2 billion.
