India’s total gas consumption is close to reaching 200 MMSCMD. This could nearly double by 2030 if progress remains steady, policies are supportive, and investments continue to grow. It will likely increase to 297 MMSCMD by 2030, based on current global and domestic trends which are favouring cleaner energy sources and even further to 365 MMSCMD if conditions are very supportive, as per experts.
The primary driver of growth in the natural gas sector is likely to be the City Gas Distribution (CGD) sector. City gas distribution has expanded at a 12% compound annual growth rate (CAGR) between 2015-16 and 2023-24 while use of natural gas in the industrial segment has grown 12.7% CAGR in this period. Encouraged by consistent growth in this segment, the government is also supporting with necessary policy push and initiatives. PNGRB has already granted CGD authorisations covering almost entire area and population of the country and with expanding network, the goal of reaching 17,000 CNG stations (from current over 7500) and providing 12 crore domestic pipeline connections (from 1.5 crore) by 2030 doesn’t seem very ambitious. Both the government and companies operating in the sector have lined up big investments in the sector. Currently, 10,000 km of natural gas pipelines have been approved for cross country networks, requiring an investment of ₹40,000-50,000 crore over the next three to five years. Additionally, ₹30,000 crore has been committed to city gas distribution infrastructure, with ₹400 crore allocated per district.
However, on supply side, India is meeting half of its gas requirements through high-priced imported LNG. While it is making efforts to increase the domestic output from the conventional gas sources, the unconventional gas sources are also being explored and supported through policy initiatives to be able to produce a significant amount to help reduce India’s imports and meet additional gas demand. One such promising source is Coal Bed Methane (CBM). Though the current domestic output of CBM is small, efforts are ongoing to increase its contribution in the total gas supply. In this issue of GSR, we have included a feature story on “Coal Bed Methane – An Unconventional Natural Gas” which gives a brief overview of the CBM sector both in India and globally, covering its current status, trends and outlook.
As we move to the new financial year (FY 2025-26), I have pleasure in sharing with you that the membership base of NGS is continuing to grow. During the quarter (January-March, 2025), M/s Pipeline Infrastructure Ltd. have been enrolled as an Associate Member of NGS and M/s Nawgati Tech Pvt. Ltd. as a Non Voting Member. With this, the total no. of organizational/institutional members has become 29 (twenty nine). Also,
with addition of 9 (nine) professionals as individual members, the cumulative No. of Individual members (including various categories) has reached 64.
As communicated earlier, the MoU between IGEM and NGS was signed on 21st November, 2024. The online ceremonial signing was done on 21st January, 2025.
The Natural Gas Society took active part in the India Energy Week (IEW) 2025 held at Yashobhumi, New Delhi A stall was set up by NGS in the IEW 2025 exhibition which attracted hundreds of visitors from ONGC, GAIL, IOCL, HPCL, BPCL, IGL, PIL, Reliance, MGL, IGGL, Siemens, ATGL, EIL and many more organizations from within India and abroad. Myself, i.e. ED, NGS had the honour of being a Member of the IEW Technical Committee. Further, it was a pleasure and privilege for me to Chair two sessions (one on CGD and the other on NG Storage and O&M) during the Technical Conference.
Overall, it was a great opportunity for NGS team to interact with Energy Professionals from India & abroad and an enriching & learning experience.
We convey our sincere thanks to our member organisations and the individual members for their constant support and solicit the valuable suggestions, guidance & everyone’s support in meeting the objectives of NGS.
With greetings to you and your family for a happy & prosperous New Year (Vikram Samvat 2082/Gudi Padwa/Ugadi/Chaiti Chand), greetings on the occasion of Eid-ul-Fitr and with best wishes,
D V Shastry
Executive Director