The global natural gas market continues to navigate heightened uncertainty, with geopolitical tensions in West Asia, disruptions to LNG flows through the Strait of Hormuz and tighter supply margins underscoring the link between gas markets and energy security. Although LNG flows have begun to recover, supply risks and price volatility remain important concerns for gas-importing economies. At the same time, the United States continues to strengthen its position as a major global gas supplier, supported by robust domestic production and expanding LNG export capacity.
For India, these developments come at a critical juncture. Natural gas remains an important part of the country’s transition towards a cleaner and more diversified energy mix, even as domestic production is unlikely to fully match the growth in demand. LNG imports stood at around 35 BCM in 2025–26, accounting for roughly half of India’s gas consumption, and are expected to rise further as gas demand expands.
The recent volatility has highlighted both the importance and vulnerability of LNG-dependent supply. While sectors such as fertiliser, CGD and transport continue to support gas demand, diversifying LNG sources, expanding import infrastructure and strengthening domestic pipeline connectivity will be essential to improving supply security.
The larger challenge, therefore, is not only how much gas India can import, but how efficiently and competitively it can move gas across the country. A connected, flexible and well-utilised pipeline network will be critical to linking diverse sources of supply with emerging demand centres and strengthening the role of natural gas in India’s energy mix.
In this issue of Gas Statistics Review, our special feature, “From Gas Grid to Growth Engine: Building the Pipeline Backbone for a Gas-Based Economy,” examines this critical infrastructure story. The feature traces the evolution and current status of India’s natural gas pipeline network, highlights the challenges affecting its utilisation and brings together industry perspectives on the investments, reforms and market solutions needed to build a more connected gas system and move India closer to its ambition of raising natural gas to 15% of the energy mix.
NGS also continued its engagement with the industry during July–September 2026 through safety initiatives, technical programmes, knowledge partnerships and sectoral events. Key highlights included the dissemination of the Safety Handbook for CNG delivery salespersons, participation as Knowledge Partner at the 5th Uttar Pradesh Fire & Safety Expo, an IT & OT cybersecurity workshop with DSCI, the Innovation Conclave 2026, participation in the HSSC–PNGRB skills workshop, the 3rd NGS Conclave on Construction Management, and engagement with the PipeTech & India GasTech Conference and Exhibition.
More details and highlights from these activities are featured in the new “NGS Watch” section in this issue.
We remain committed to supporting the growth of India’s natural gas industry through continued value-adding initiatives. We thank our members for their continued support and look forward to their feedback and guidance.
With best wishes and greetings for the forthcoming festive season
D V Shastry
Executive Director