GAIL explores buying 26% stake in newly launched Indian Gas Exchange
The Indian Gas Exchange provides day-ahead market and forward contracts at Dahej, Hazira, Odoru
GAIL owns LNG terminals and is already a member of the natural gas trading platform, set up by IEX
NEW DEL: State owned GAIL (India) Ltd plans to acquire around 26% stake in India’s first natural gas exchange that went online last week, said two people aware of the development. According to an expression of interest (EoI) seeking its equity participation in a gas exchange, the state-owned firm wants to come in as a promoter with 26% equity stake.
The public sector unit owns liquefied natural gas (LNG) terminals and is already a member of the natural gas trading platform, set up by Indian Energy Exchange.
“GAIL invites online offers from Party who shall submit Expression of Interest (EOI) offering equity participation to GAIL in their Gas Exchange company established/ proposed to be established in India, for setting up gas exchange for natural gas trading and access on pan-India basis,” the EoI said.
GAIL chairman and managing director Manoj Jain told reporters on Wednesday that the firm is analysing the opportunity to buy a stake in Indian Gas Exchange.
The Indian Gas Exchange provides day-ahead market and forward contracts, including daily, weekly, weekday, fortnightly and monthly, at three physical hubs in Dahej, Hazira in Gujarat, and Odoru in Andhra Pradesh.
“A transparent and neutral natural gas trading platform commonly known as “Gas Exchange” can further facilitate market-based mechanism. Additionally, the Gas Exchange is also expected to drive competition, leading to innovative business models and cost-efficient structures, thus supporting the overall affordability of gas,” the EoI said.
This comes in the backdrop of the National Democratic Alliance government pushing for a gas-based economy. Gas accounts for around 6.2% of India’s primary energy mix against the global average of 24%. The government plans to increase this to 15% by 2030. India’s gas demand is expected to be driven by fertilizer, power, city gas distribution and steel. The government also wants to set up a gas trading hub.
GAIL has 12,000 km of gas pipeline infrastructure and plans to add another 7,600 km over the next five years. While around 108 million standard cubic metres a day (mmscmd) of gas is transported through its pipelines, GAIL markets around 96 mmscmd of gas.
India consumes around 145 mmscmd of gas. India, along with China, is expected to be a significant driver of demand for natural gas post 2021. Being the biggest emitter of greenhouse gases after the US and China, India aims to achieve its emission reduction commitments through the use of natural gas and green fuel.
India, the world’s fourth-largest LNG importer is building up its LNG portfolio with Indian firms having inked long-term LNG contracts totalling 22 million metric tonnes per annum (mmtpa).
