GAIL signed pact with French Energy Giant GDF Suez to import LNG

State-owned gas utility GAIL India on 26 August 2012 signed a contract with French energy giant GDF Suez to import 0.8 million tonnes of liquefied natural gas (LNG) from 2013 to 2014. GDF would supply six cargoes of LNG in 2013 beginning January and an equal number in 2014. It will supply one cargo once in two months, most probably from its Yemen portfolio.

As per the agreement, GDF will supply six cargoes of LNG in 2013 and an equal number in 2014. The LNG could be imported at Dahej terminal of Petronet LNG Ltd in Gujarat or Kochi import facility in Kerala. The gas in its liquid form could be shipped to the Dabhol terminal in Maharashtra.

GDF holds a 10-per cent stake in Petronet LNG Ltd. It had in November 2011 agreed to supply 9 cargoes of LNG to Petronet LNG Ltd. GAIL owns and operates over 9,500-km of  natural gas pipeline network in India and can manage 175 mmscmd of gas.