PNGRB Authorizes IOCL To Develop KTPL
The Petroleum and Natural Gas Regulatory Board (PNGRB) has granted authorization to Indian Oil Corporation Limited (IOCL) for laying, building, operating and expanding the Kochi–Kanyakumari–Thoothukudi Natural Gas Pipeline (KTPL).
The KTPL pipeline will will cover nearly 425 km, from from the KochI LNG terminal in Kerala to Thoothukudi in Tamil Nadu. It will have a system capacity of 6.84 million metric standard cubic metres per day (MMSCMD), including common carrier capacity.
A statement by PNGRB termed KTPL pipeline’s authorization as a significant step towards strengthening the natural gas transmission infrastructure in southern India. Regasified LNG from Kochi LNG terminal can be efficiently evacuated and transported to demand centers across Kerala as well as southern districts of Tamil Nadu. It will also help in expanding the city gad distribution (CGD) networks as well as supplying natural gas to industrial consumers, power plants and other downstream sectors in the region.
The development of this pipeline is being linked to improving availability of natural gas in Kerala and southern Tamil Nadu. It will also improve the region’s integration with the national grid while strengthening the regional infrastructure.
The statement also said that the pipeline will also help in achieving Indian government’s goal of increasing the share of natural gas in the country’s energy as well as reducing carbon emissions. The development of critical gas transport infrastructure will also improve India’s energy security and supply reliability, the statement said.
The authorization follows a competitive bidding process undertaken by PNGRB in accordance with the applicable regulatory framework. After evaluation of the technical and financial bids received, Indian Oil Corporation Limited emerged as the successful bidder for the project.
