NGS’ NG/LNG SNAPSHOT December 1-15, 2025
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City Gas Distribution & Auto LPG
Over 50,000 vehicles in Tripura now run on eco-friendly CNG: CM Saha
Agartala, Tripura Chief Minister Manik Saha said on Wednesday that over 50,000 different types of vehicles in the state are now running on environmentally-friendly and cost-effective Compressed Natural Gas (CNG), reflecting a significant shift towards cleaner mobility.
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While inaugurating Tripura Natural Gas Company Limited’s (TNGCL) new CNG station in Khilpara, in southern Tripura’s Gomati district, the Chief Minister announced that initiatives have been taken to build new CNG stations in Fatikchhara and Bodhjungnagar in West Tripura district.
Noting that CNG has special acceptance all over the world, he said that the BJP government in the state is working to solve the basic problems of the people.
“It (CNG) is an environmentally-friendly fuel. Its popularity is increasing with the progress of civilisation and improvement in technology. These must be present in any developed country or city. The CNG station that started its journey in Khilpara on Wednesday will work as a mother station. From here, it will be gradually supplied to other places as well,” said Saha.
He thanked the TNGCL authorities for implementing this project and the company has plans to open CNG stations not only in Agartala or Udaipur (in southern Tripura), but also in other places in the state.
To take the state towards progress, clean energy is vital, he said.
The Chief Minister said that since 2018, TNGCL has added about 31 CNG stations in Tripura. The CNG stations are now operational in many places in the state and due to this CNG, air pollution will be reduced to a great extent.
“This will make it possible to save money. The use of CNG creates a healthy environment. Currently, TNGCL is supplying fuel to more than 50,000 different types of vehicles in the state,” he said.
The Chief Minister also said that auto drivers, taxi owners, and private vehicle owners will benefit from the inauguration of this CNG station in Khilpara, for which Rs 8 crore was spent.
The TNGCL is making arrangements to upgrade the CNG stations in Arundhuti Nagar and Barjala, he informed.
“The increase in CNG stations will benefit the people. Now people have trust in Prime Minister Narendra Modi. People’s trust in our current government in Tripura is also increasing,” he added.
Two plots of land have been given for CNG stations in Mohanpur in West Tripura, the Chief Minister told the gathering, adding that necessary steps will be taken after discussions with TNGCL to set up CNG stations at Khayerpur-Amtali bypass in West Tripura, Bagma, Amarpur, and Ampi in Gomati district.
The event was attended by Finance Minister Pranajit Singha Roy, Industries and Commerce Minister Santana Chakma, Gomati District Zilla Sabhadhipati Debal Debroy, MLA Abhishek Debroy, MLA Jitendra Majumder, Udaipur Municipal Council Chairman Shital Chandra Majumder, Gomati District Magistrate Rinku Lather, Superintendent of Police Kiran Kumar K, TNGCL Managing Director Pralay Patra, and other public representatives.
TNGCL is one of Eastern India’s fastest growing Natural Gas Distribution Companies, established in July, 1990 and it is a joint venture company between GAIL (India) Ltd, Tripura Industrial Development Corporation and Assam Gas Company Ltd. TNGCL supplies eco-friendly and cost-effective natural gas to domestic, commercial, industrial and transport sectors across West Tripura and Gomati Districts in Tripura.
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Tripura CM lauds TNGCL for expanding CNG distribution network
Agartala, (PTI) Tripura Chief Minister Manik Saha on Wednesday lauded the Tripura National Gas Corporation Ltd (TNGCL) for expanding CNG distribution in rural areas. He said that the use of CNG is not only economically viable but also ensures a healthy environment. “The TNGCL has added around 31 CNG stations in the northeastern state since 2018. It has not only CNG stations in urban areas but also extended the facility in rural areaS,” Saha said after inaugurating a new CNG station in Gomati district’s Khilpara.
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The TNGCL is a a joint venture of GAIL (India) Ltd, Tripura Industrial Development Corporation and Assam Gas Co Ltd.
Saha said the CNG station which started its journey at Khilpara will work as a mother station and from here, it will be gradually supplied to other places as well.
The chief minister said that auto drivers, and owners of taxis and private vehicles will benefit from the CNG station.
“Initiatives have been taken to build CNG stations in Fatikcherra and Bodhjungnagar in West Tripura district. The TNGCL is making arrangements to upgrade the CNG stations in AD Nagar and Barjala in West Tripura,” he said.
Saha said that two plots of land have been given to the TNGCL for setting up CNG stations in Mohanpur of West Tripura district.
Steps will be taken after discussions with TNGCL to set up CNG stations at Khairpur-Amtali bypass in West Tripura, Bagma, Amarpur and Ampi in Gomati district.
https://www.theweek.in/wire-updates/national/2025/12/03/ces32-tr-cm-cng.amp.html
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Tripura CM inaugurates newly established Khilpara CNG Station at Udaipur
Tripura CM Manik Saha inaugurated the new Khilpara CNG Station in Udaipur, Gomati, boosting clean and affordable energy options in the state. AGARTALA: Tripura Chief Minister Manik Saha has inaugurated the newly established Khilpara CNG Station at Udaipur in Gomati district, marking another significant step toward expanding clean and affordable energy options in the state.
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He said the opening of this new station on Wednesday is expected to cater effectively to the needs of the local population.
In a post on X, CM Manik Saha shared, “Inaugurated the Khilpara CNG Station at Udaipur in Gomati district. Compressed Natural Gas is gaining popularity as an environment-friendly and cost-effective fuel. This new station is expected to effectively cater to the needs of the local population.”
The inaugural program was attended by several key dignitaries, including state’s Finance Minister Pranajit Singha Roy, Industries & Commerce Minister Santana Chakma, Matabari MLA Abhishek Debroy, along with officials and local representatives.
Speaking on the occasion, the Chief Minister highlighted the government’s commitment to promoting sustainable energy, reducing pollution, and strengthening Tripura’s fuel infrastructure. The new CNG station is expected to not only improve access to clean fuel but also encourage a shift towards greener modes of transportation across the region.
The initiative reflects the state government’s broader efforts to advance environment-friendly development while ensuring improved services for the people of Tripura. (ANI)
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India Expands CNG Network To 8,083 Stations Nationwide
India’s clean mobility transition has gained significant momentum with the rapid expansion of the country’s Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) infrastructure. Responding to a query from Dr K. Laxman in the Rajya Sabha on Monday, Minister of State for Petroleum and Natural Gas Suresh Gopi outlined the scale of progress achieved.
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As of May 2025, India has 8,083 operational CNG stations a tenfold increase from 814 in 2014-15. This expansion is part of the broader rollout of the City Gas Distribution (CGD) network, implemented by authorised entities under the Petroleum and Natural Gas Regulatory Board’s (PNGRB) Minimum Work Programme.
Following the completion of the 12/12A CGD bidding round, PNGRB has authorised development in 307 Geographical Areas, covering the entire mainland, including rural and semi-urban regions. The move aims to ensure widespread and equitable access to clean fuel infrastructure.
CNG vehicle adoption has risen in parallel. According to the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways’ VAHAN dashboard, registrations increased from 2.3 million in FY15 to over 9.1 million by November 2025, reflecting growing confidence in CNG as a cost-effective and cleaner alternative fuel for both public and private transport.
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Mumbai: BEST’s electric push raises questions over unused CNG infrastructure
In a city that runs on clockwork precision only when its lifelines are respected, Mumbai’s public transport story seems to have hit a coordination miscalculation. Even as Mahanagar Gas Ltd (MGL) spent years building a dedicated compressed natural gas (CNG) supply ecosystem for Brihanmumbai Electric Supply and Transport (BEST) buses – laying pipelines, setting up high-capacity dispensing stations, and investing heavily to ensure seamless fuelling at 15 of its depots – the undertaking’s decision now to go 100 per cent electric has raised questions about how lack of a transport policy in this city is leading to disconnect and decision making in silos.
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BEST has a well-established CNG infrastructure at 15 depots, which can fuel over 4000 buses daily. However, it is currently underutilised, operating at just 17 per cent capacity, primarily due to the adoption of electric buses. By leveraging this underused resource, BEST can quickly adopt a safer, more sustainable fleet.
It was these dedicated pipelines that helped in a big way during the November 2025 CNG crisis when BEST depots were prioritised in MGL’s supply allocation with special nighttime refuelling that brought CNG buses back on the road. As of today, the BEST has a fleet of 1295 wet-leased, CNG-fuelled buses – 629 full-sized, non-AC models and 666 midi AC buses, which are staffed by employees of Mateshwari Urban Transport and Daga Group, respectively.
The depots have also been dispensing fuel to private vehicles under a scheme called MGL Tez, but transport experts said that with the BEST targeting a 100 per cent electric bus fleet, the undertaking will be left without any CNG public transport buses at all. Moreover, CNG buses have demonstrated consistent performance and safety in urban transportation systems globally, proving their viability.
“During last month’s crisis, the dedicated system ensured that BEST was a priority customer and they received uninterrupted gas supply, highlighting exactly why that network had been deemed essential infrastructure. But with the declining CNG fleet and promises to go 100 per cent electric, these dedicated fuel points would be rendered useless for public transport buses, though they will remain available for private vehicles,” an official said.
The scheme
MGL and BEST’s joint programme MGL Tez uses the existing CNG infrastructure inside BEST depots and opens it up (app-based booking) to outside vehicles as well. Launched in 2023, the service was available only at Ghatkopar and Goregaon Oshiwara bus depots. However, by April 2025, MGL announced the expansion of MGL Tez to 13 additional BEST depots spread across the city and suburbs. For a city already starved of an integrated mobility roadmap, the move underscores how policies are made in silos, without coordination among agencies that are supposed to work together.
Expert Speak
Transport experts say Mumbai’s mobility ecosystem cannot afford such disconnects. AV Shenoy of the Mumbai Vikas Samiti and Mumbai Mobility Forum said, “With the global shift toward electric mobility accelerating, BEST’s ambition to go green is commendable. But the question remains: at what cost, and with what coordination? As Mumbai grapples with swelling commuter demand, environmental compulsions and budgetary constraints, the city needs a coherent transport policy more than ever – one ensuring agencies move in tandem, not at cross-purposes.”
Bus expert Shubham Padave said, “Electric buses are cost-efficient, but until the technology is fully developed, BEST should maintain an adequate number of CNG buses. At present, electric buses take a lot of time to charge. This will improve with the implementation of flash charging technology. Electric buses are costly to procure, compared to their CNG counterparts, and recently, we have seen Transport Minister Nitin Gadkari promoting hydrogen-powered automobiles. Thus, we are not sure if the future is, indeed, electric.”
Official Speak
While BEST officials did not respond to mid-day’s calls and messages by press time, a senior transport department official said that it was neither mandated by the Central or state government to convert all public transport buses into electric fleet, but there were Central government-promoted, incentive-based policies to convert such buses into electric, and the BEST was merely following that, including schemes like PM-eBus Sewa, and supportive policies for charging infrastructure.
“Under the state Maharashtra Electric Vehicle Policy 2025, for major urban areas including Mumbai, 40 per cent of the fleet operated by state-run transport undertakings (STUs) is required to be electric; for non-STU (private/other) buses, the target is 15 per cent. The BEST fleet was undergoing a transition to electric, supported by state policy and gradual, phased procurement,” he added.
Negatives aspects of electric buses
>> Taking a long time for battery charging in hours, whereas CNG can be charged in a few minutes. Presently, many electric buses are unable to run a full day on a single charge and have to come to the depot for recharging
>> CNG is also environmentally friendly
>> Batteries are imported from China, and this dependence may remain for a long time as that country has major lithium deposits
>> In case of a major power failure, the entire EV fleet would come to a halt. It is better to have a judicious mix of e-buses and CNG buses
>> E-buses are capital-intensive and are nearly three times costlier than CNG buses
Experts’ suggestions
dopt use of CNG for buses
BEST should transition entirely to CNG buses, making use of its underutilised infrastructure. This would enhance safety, simplify operations, and minimise risks associated with electric buses. With the capacity to fuel over 4000 buses daily, the transition to CNG buses would be both efficient and feasible
Promote CNG fuel
CNG should be promoted as the primary fuel for public transportation. Its safety, reliability, environmental benefits, and cost-efficiency make it an ideal alternative to electric buses, which have higher operational complexities and costs
Industry acceptance
CNG has been successfully adopted as a primary fuel by other transport undertakings. The MSRTC has converted 1000 High Speed Diesel buses to CNG, demonstrating the fuel’s practicality and cost-effectiveness. Bus transport agencies in Thane and Pune have also adopted CNG buses, proving their suitability for urban transport
Possible solutions
Experts say safety must take precedence over cost-cutting measures. Reforming the wet-lease model and fully adopting CNG buses would provide a safer and more reliable public transport system, using existing infrastructure and reducing operational risks. BEST seems to be increasingly inclined towards purchasing electric vehicles, even though the cost of these “electric buses” is 1.4 times that of CNG buses.
Furthermore, major CNG bus manufacturers have the capacity to supply 1500 to 2000 CNG buses within a lead time of just six months. In contrast, the supply of electric buses from providers remains uncertain and significantly delayed. Rebuilding public trust and ensuring safety should be the central focus for the future of Mumbai’s public transportation.
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ESL signs pact for PNG supply
Bokaro: The ESL Steel Limited has entered into an agreement with the Indian Oil Corporation Limited (IOCL) for the supply of Piped Natural Gas (PNG) to its Bokaro-based steel plant, marking a significant shift towards cleaner industrial fuel usage, the steel major announced on Thursday.
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The arrangement, meant for select operational applications, was formalised in the presence of senior executives from both companies, including IOCL executive director Manoj K Sharma and general manager Amiya Kumar Behera, along with ESL Steel deputy CEO Ravish Sharma.
Speaking on the occasion, Sharma said, “Our partnership with IOCL represents a sustainable move to ensure a reliable and efficient energy supply for critical plant operations. By replacing LPG with PNG, a cleaner and more sustainable fuel, we are reinforcing our commitment to operational excellence and environmental responsibility.”
According to the company, transition to PNG for limited operational applications will enhance reliability, safety and environmental responsibility in energy usage and for providing sustainable energy solutions.
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TZ lures Indian investor in city natural gas distribution
DAR ES SALAAM: THE HCG Gas Ltd, an investment company based in India, has shown interest to invest in Tanzania’s City Gas Distribution and CNG project. Company’s representative, Ms Rekha Sharma, has visited the country and on Thursday this week, held a meeting with Tanzania Petroleum Development Corporation (TPDC)’s Investment Manager Godbless Robiam in Dar es Salaam.
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The purpose of the meeting was to explore investment opportunities in distribution of gas to households under City Gas Distribution project and Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) for vehicles in Tanzania.
During the meeting, HCG Gas Ltd submitted an initial and unofficial Expression of Interest (EOI) to TPDC outlining their proposed approach to implementing the project.
TPDC will review the submission and, where appropriate, provide further guidance for continued engagement.
Ms Sharma’s visit to Tanzania is part of the follow-up to the initial discussions held during the study tour conducted in India last month by a delegation comprised of top officials from the TPDC and the Public-Private Partnership (PPP) Centre.
During the study tour, preliminary engagements were conducted with the company, and it was agreed that upon return to Tanzania, the PPP Centre and TPDC would provide additional information to facilitate further discussions and investment in City Gas Distribution and CNG projects in the country.
HCG Gas Ltd also had indicated that they would send a representative to Tanzania for on ground consultations.
The visit by Ms Sharma reflects a continuation of the engagements initiated in India.
The earlier study tour was financially supported by the Public-Private Partnership (PPP) Centre which was represented by Mr Emmanuel Masawe and Eng. Mohamed Fakihi, who were tasked with acquiring skills and knowledge on gas distribution, identifying and engaging potential investors interested in undertaking city gas distribution projects under PPP arrangements in Tanzania.
It is expected that these ongoing discussions will lead to the development of a PPP-based City Gas Distribution Project, in which HCG Gas Ltd would partner with TPDC to develop gas distribution networks from anchor gas projects to households, alongside establishing CNG infrastructure for vehicle use.
https://dailynews.co.tz/ttz-lures-indian-investor-in-city-natural-gas-distribution/
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Vi Business expands IoT portfolio with smart gas metering for CGDs
Vi Business, the enterprise arm of Indian telecom company, Vi and also an IoT solutions provider has announced the expansion of its Advanced Metering Infrastructure (AMI) portfolio with Smart Gas Metering solutions for the City Gas Distributions (CGDs). Being a mojor player in the smart meter energy ecosystem with India’s first deployment in 2018, Vi Business is now extending its IoT and AMI capabilities to address India’s rapidly growing CGD sector. This will strengthen Vi’s commitment to supporting the government’s efforts to modernise utility infrastructure, enhance operational standards, and accelerate digital metering adoption across the energy value chain.
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The Petroleum and Natural Gas Regulatory Board (PNGRB) projects the CGD sector to emerge as India’s largest natural gas consumer, accounting for almost one-third of the total volume by the end of this decade. With the rise in demand, Smart Gas Metering has emerged as a critical enabler for CGD companies seeking to combat Lost and Unaccounted Gas (LUAG) due to leakage, theft, manual billing errors, and pilferage.
Vi Business’ Smart Gas Metering solution uses Narrowband-IoT technology and extensive communication networks to help CGD operators enhance operational efficiency and improve billing accuracy.
Commenting on the announcement, Arvind Nevatia, Chief Enterprise Business Officer, Vi, said “Digital metering is reshaping how utilities operate, and Smart Gas Metering is the next frontier in India’s utility transformation. With our proven IoT and AMI expertise, we are committed to supporting CGD operators to modernise their networks, reduce inefficiencies and deliver better service outcomes in reducing unaccounted gas and enhancing revenue assurance. Vi Business will continue to enable India’s utility sector with scalable and future- ready solutions.”
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Natural Gas/ Pipelines/ Company News
Arun Kumar Singh gets rare one-year extension as ONGC chairman till 2026
Singh, 63, will continue as the chairman of Oil and Natural Gas Corporation (ONGC) till December 6, 2026, according to an official order that cited a decision made by the Appointments Committee. Arun Kumar Singh has been granted a rare one-year extension as chairman of ONGC, in signs that the government may have wanted continuity to consolidate the gains India’s top oil and gas producer has made under his leadership.
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Singh, 63, will continue as the chairman of Oil and Natural Gas Corporation (ONGC) till December 6, 2026, according to an official order that cited a decision made by the Appointments Committee of the Cabinet headed by Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
In 2022, he became the first near-60 executive ever to be appointed chairman of a blue-chip PSU. Now, in another unprecedented move, his tenure will run until age 64.
Industry sources said Singh brought the much needed stability in management at ONGC, helping reverse the decade-long decline in production of crude oil, which is feedstock for making petrol and diesel, and natural gas, which is used to produce power, make fertilizer, turned into CNG to run automobiles and fire household kitchens.
Under him, ONGC stitched a technical collaboration with super major BP for revival of its flagship Mumbai High oil and gas fields. The BP partnership has helped arrest the decline in output at the field and is likely to show positive results from the next year.
The government had toyed with the idea of bringing in a technical partner for some of the ONGC’s mainstay but declining fields for almost eight years but the proposal never made progress. It finally worked under Singh.
Singh also oversaw the start of oil production from the delayed KG-DWN-98/2 field in the Krishna Godavari basin.
A mechanical engineer from National Institute of Technology, Patna, he is known for being a tough taskmaster and a man with great insights into the functioning of the oil and gas sector.
A search-cum-selection committee, constituted by the oil ministry, picked Singh in August 2022, two months before he attained superannuation age of 60 years. He was appointed as ONGC chairman with effect from December 6, 2022, after necessary vettings.
In October that year, he retired as the chairman and managing director of Bharat Petroleum Corporation Ltd (BPCL), India’s second largest state-owned oil refining and fuel marketing company. In BPCL, he was Director (Marketing) from October 2018 to September 2021, after which he was elevated as chairman and managing director of the company.
The ACC has approved “re-employment of Arun Kumar Singh as chairman, ONGC on contract basis for a further period of one-year with effect from December 7, 2025, or till assumption of charge of the post by the regular incumbent, or until further orders, whichever is the earliest, on terms and conditions to be finalised by the Ministry (of Petroleum and Natural Gas) in consultation with the Department of Public Enterprises,” the official order dated December 2 said.
It also constituted a search-cum-selection committee under government headhunter Public Enterprise Selection Board (PESB) chairman to identify and select a regular chairman of ONGC. Other members of the three-member panel are Secretary to the Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas and former IOC chairman B Ashok as an outside expert of eminence.
PESB had in April this year called for applications to select a regular chairman to replace Singh, when his three-year term was to end on December 6. More than a dozen candidates, including Oil India Ltd chairman and managing director Ranjit Rath, applied.
The government headhunter never interviewed any of them, even though it did and selected the chairman of gas utility GAIL (India) Ltd, where applications came in much later.
It is immediately not known why PESB did not interview the candidates who had applied.
Prior to Singh’s appointment, ONGC had been without a full-time head since April 2021 – a period during which the firm saw record three interim heads. It was previously headed by a chairman and managing director, but in the case of Singh, the order states that he has been appointed as chairman.
Before being picked up by the oil ministry’s search-cum-selection committee on August 27, 2022, Singh was already selected to head the Petroleum and Natural Gas Regulatory Board (PNGRB). He never joined PNGRB.
Prior to his ONGC appointment, Singh’s nearly 38 years of experience in the oil and gas industry included retail, LPG, pipelines and supply chain optimisation.
He also held the position of President (Africa & Australasia) in Bharat PetroResources Ltd, a wholly-owned subsidiary of BPCL, engaged in the exploration of oil and gas, largely overseas.
Singh became eligible for consideration for the job at ONGC in 2022 after the oil ministry relaxed age-related criteria.
Eligibility criteria for a board-level position at the PSU provide that an internal candidate (applicant from within the PSU) should not be more than 58 years of age on the date of the vacancy. The maximum age for external candidates is 57 years on the date of the vacancy.
The ministry changed it to state that any candidate to be eligible for consideration should not be more than 60 years of age on the date of occurrence of the vacancy, according to the ministry’s office memorandum sent to DoPT on June 17, 2022. The vacancy at ONGC arose on March 31, 2021.
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NE gas pipeline connecting Guwahati to Numaligarh partially commissioned
The section has also been connected to Numaligarh Refinery, which enables it to access natural gas through the grid, PNGRB said. The North East natural gas pipeline grid (NEGG) has been partially commissioned, connecting the 396-kilometre Guwahati to Numaligarh section, the Petroleum Natural Gas Regulatory Board (PNGRB) announced.
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The section has also been connected to Numaligarh Refinery Limited (NRL), which enables the refinery to access natural gas through the grid, marking the first operational interface of the pipeline with a major industrial consumer, the regulator said.
NEGG is being developed by Indradhanush Gas Grid Limited (IGGL), a joint venture between Indian Oil Corporation Ltd (IOCL), ONGC, Gail (India), Oil India Ltd (OIL) and NRL. It was authorised in November 2020 to connect the eight states of North East with piped natural gas and to source gas from the gas fields that were not connected with the markets.
“The NEGG project was conceived under the Hydrocarbon Vision 2030 for North East India with the objective of creating an integrated natural gas pipeline network to meet the growing energy needs of the region,” said PNGRB.
The total authorised length of the pipeline grid is 1,688 km, including 196 km of spur and feeder lines. NEGG has been designed for a transportation capacity of 4.75 million metric standard cubic metre per day (MMSCMD) and is planned for full commissioning by March 31, 2026.
Post full commissioning, NEGG would establish connectivity between natural gas sources and consumption centres across eight states namely Assam, Mizoram, Manipur, Nagaland, Arunachal Pradesh, Tripura, Meghalaya and Sikkim.
The network is expected to enable the evacuation and utilisation of gas from fields that have remained underutilised and facilitate its supply to regional markets as well as consumers located in other parts of the country.
NEGG will provide pipeline connectivity to 10 geographical areas (GAs), which will support the expansion of city gas distribution (CGD) networks. CGD entities operating in these GAs have committed to develop 23.40 lakh PNG connections and set up 951 CNG stations.
PNGRB said the commissioning of the pipeline infrastructure would result in several commercial and economic benefits for the region including reliable access to natural gas and lower energy costs for domestic, commercial and industrial consumers. The Indian government aims to increase the share of natural gas to 15 per cent by 2030, as compared to the current 6 per cent.
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Desco Infratech secures Rs 11-cr orders from Avantika Gas and BPCL
Desco Infratech said it has secured orders worth Rs 11.37 crore from Avantika Gas and Bharat Petroleum Corporation (BPCL). The company received a letter of intent worth Rs 9.92 crore from Avantika Gas and a letter of award worth Rs 1.44 crore from BPCL. The contracts cover operation and maintenance of steel and MDPE pipeline networks, as well as PNG connections (domestic, industrial, and commercial) for Indore and Pithampur in Madhya Pradesh. They also include O&M services for PNG domestic and commercial networks in Anandpur Sahib, Punjab.
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Desco Infratech is an infrastructure company focused on engineering, planning, & construction, particularly in city gas distribution, renewable energy, water, and power sectors. On a full-year basis, the company’s net profit surged 172.9% to Rs 9.06 crore on a 102.3% rise in revenue to Rs 59.45 crore in FY25 over FY24.
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BPCL Recognised Among Global Top 100 Corporate Startup Stars
Mumbai (Maharashtra) [India], December 3: Bharat Petroleum Corporation Limited (BPCL), a Fortune Global 500 company and a Maharatna PSU, has been recognised by the International Chamber of Commerce (ICC) and Mind the Bridge as one of the Top 100 Corporate Startup Stars (CSS) worldwide. BPCL is the only Indian organisation featured in this prestigious global list of CSS, which is a celebration of the world’s most exemplary corporate champions of startup collaboration.
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The announcement was made at a ceremony held at the International Chamber of Commerce headquarters in Paris. The Corporate Startup Stars Awards 2025 recognized 100 top companies from the Forbes Global 2000 and Fortune Global 500 that demonstrate outstanding commitment to open innovation, startup engagement, and ecosystem development.
Commenting on the recognition, Shri Sanjay Khanna, Chairman and Managing Director, BPCL, said, “We are honoured to be recognised among the 2025 Top 100 Corporate Startup Stars. This global accolade is a testament to Bharat Petroleum’s commitment to building an open innovation ecosystem that fosters entrepreneurship in the country. Through our startup initiative ‘Ankur’, we are catalysing breakthrough solutions that will make energy cleaner, smarter, and more sustainable. As BPCL marks its 50th year of shaping the future of energy, we remain committed to partnering with startups to advance technologies that will accelerate India’s energy transition and strengthen BPCL’s position as an integrated energy company of the future.”
Since its launch in 2016, ‘Ankur’ has supported 30 startups offering innovative solutions in Robotics, Artificial Intelligence, Machine Learning, Asset Integrity, Industrial IoT, Inspection, Predictive Maintenance, Safety Technologies and other emerging domains. The ‘BPCL Ankur Fund’ has been established to invest in promising early-stage startups aligned with BPCL’s strategic priorities and future roadmap.
Congratulating the winners, John W H Denton AO, Secretary General, ICC, said, “Innovation remains the cornerstone of global economic growth. ICC is proud to support businesses that drive meaningful impact through collaboration from emerging startups to established corporations working together to shape the future of global commerce.”
Alberto Onetti, Chairman, Mind the Bridge, added, “BPCL is a strong case of how a large corporation can strategically drive innovation by partnering with startups and investing in them. Through Project Ankur, BPCL has developed a platform that accelerates the adoption of new technologies, while nurturing early-stage entrepreneurs in India’s evolving energy sector through initial grants. To further this goal, BPCL launched the BPCL Ankur Fund, which enables strategic investments in startups by providing equity funding. This approach allows startups to scale their solutions within the BPCL ecosystem.”
Fortune Global 500 Company, Bharat Petroleum is the second largest Indian Oil Marketing Company and one of the integrated energy companies in India, engaged in refining of crude oil and marketing of petroleum products, with presence in the upstream and downstream sectors of the oil and gas industry. The company attained the coveted Maharatna status, joining the club of companies having greater operational & financial autonomy.
Bharat Petroleum’s Refineries at Mumbai, Kochi and Bina have a combined refining capacity of around 35.3 MMTPA. Its marketing infrastructure includes a network of installations, depots, fuel stations, aviation service stations and LPG distributors. Its distribution network comprises over 23,500+ Fuel Stations, over 6,200+ LPG distributorships, 500+ Lubes distributorships, 80 POL storage locations, 54 LPG Bottling Plants, 79 Aviation Service Stations, 5 Lube blending plants and 5 cross-country pipelines.
Bharat Petroleum is integrating its strategy, investments, environmental and social ambitions to move towards a sustainable planet. The company has Electric vehicle charging stations at 6500+ Fuel Stations. With a focus on sustainable solutions, the company is developing an ecosystem and a road-map to become a Net Zero Energy Company by 2040, in Scope 1 and Scope 2 emissions. Bharat Petroleum has been partnering communities by supporting several initiatives connected primarily in the areas of education, water conservation, skill development, health, community development, capacity building and employee volunteering. With ‘Energising Lives’ as its core purpose, Bharat Petroleum’s vision is to be an admired global energy company leveraging talent, innovation & technology.
The International Chamber of Commerce (ICC) is the institutional representative of more than 45 million companies in over 170 countries. ICC’s core mission is to make business work for everyone, every day, everywhere. Through a unique mix of advocacy, solutions and standard setting, we promote international trade, responsible business conduct and a global approach to regulation, in addition to providing market-leading dispute resolution services. Our members include many of the world’s leading companies, SMEs, business associations and local chambers of commerce.
Mind the Bridge is a global innovation advisory firm that empowers economies through entrepreneurship and innovation. Headquartered in Silicon Valley with offices in Barcelona, Seoul, Tel Aviv, New York and Milan, it has been working as an international bridge at the intersection between startups and corporates since 2007. Mind the Bridge scouts, filters, and works with 10,000+ startups a year supporting global corporations with open innovation initiatives that translate into curated deals with startups (POCs. procurement, investments, and/or acquisitions). It also provides corporates with advisory services and benchmarking on innovation strategies and structures. Mind the Bridge developed MTB Ecosystem, an AI-powered open innovation matching platform for innovation ecosystem hubs and corporates. Mind the Bridge, in collaboration with the International Chamber of Commerce, annually runs the “Corporate Startup Stars”, which recognize the world’s most startup-friendly global corporates, and “Startup Ecosystem Stars” Awards, that aims at identifying the public and private organizations focused on supporting Innovation in their respective ecosystems.
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Petronet LNG Updates Registered Office Location in New Delhi
New Delhi: Petronet LNG Limited Changes Registered Office. Petronet LNG Limited, a leading player in India’s liquefied natural gas (LNG) sector, has officially changed the location of its registered office. Effective 5th December 2025, the new registered office is situated at: Fourth Floor, Tower-I, World Trade Centre, Nauroji Nagar, New Delhi – 110029 Phone: 011-71233525 | Email: investors@petronetlng.in | Website: www.petronetlng.in
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The announcement was made in compliance with Regulation 30 of SEBI (LODR) Regulations, 2015. A newspaper notice regarding the change was published in Hindustan Times (English) and Dainik Jagran (Hindi) on the same day.
Petronet LNG also operates its major LNG terminals in India:
Dahej LNG Terminal: GIDC Industrial Estate, Plot No. 7/A, Dahej, Taluka Vagra, Distt. Bharuch – 392130, Gujarat. Phone: 02641-257249
Kochi LNG Terminal: Survey No. 347, Puthuvypu, P.O. 682508, Kochi. Phone: 0484-2502268
This update ensures continued transparency and easy communication with shareholders, investors, and stakeholders.
About Petronet LNG Limited:
Petronet LNG Limited is a pioneer in the import, storage, and regasification of LNG in India. With strategically located terminals in Dahej and Kochi, the company supports India’s energy security and provides efficient LNG services across the country.
https://www.psuconnect.in/psu-news/petronet-lng-updates-registered-office-location-in-new-delhi
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Policy Matters/ Gas Pricing/ Others
PNGRB Panel Calls for Sweeping Reforms to Create a Free, Competitive Gas Market
A high-level expert committee appointed by the Petroleum and Natural Gas Regulatory Board (PNGRB) has recommended wide-ranging reforms to overhaul India’s natural gas ecosystem and build a fully competitive market driven by transparent price discovery. The proposals, outlined in the report Vision 2040 Natural Gas Infrastructure in India, argue that market-linked pricing, open access to infrastructure and stronger trading mechanisms are essential for accelerating the country’s clean energy transition.
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Chaired by former PNGRB chief D K Sarraf, the panel said a liberalised framework would improve resource allocation, enhance investor confidence and attract a broader mix of players across exploration, pipelines, LNG terminals and city gas networks. India currently uses a mix of regulated prices, market-linked domestic supplies and LNG imports, a system the committee said leads to inefficiencies and distorts competition.
The report noted barriers such as resale restrictions in regasified LNG contracts, limited open access to pipelines, the absence of an Independent System Operator (ISO), and the lack of contract-path tariffs and location-based taxes. Despite being among the world’s fastest-growing gas markets, India still lacks a liquid trading hub for transparent price discovery similar to Henry Hub, NBP or TTF.
To address these gaps, the committee proposed establishing a neutral, not-for-profit ISO to manage pipeline scheduling, system balancing, settlements and transparent capacity allocation. It also suggested a unified digital platform for real-time pipeline capacity booking, backed by a bulletin board integrating SCADA data on flows, maintenance and outages.
For LNG import terminals, the panel recommended a clear third-party access framework with transparent tariffs, defined operating procedures, ‘use-it-or-lose-it’ norms and secondary capacity trading on authorised exchanges. It also called for lifting resale and destination restrictions in RLNG contracts to improve liquidity and align India with global market practices.
The group supported a move from route-based to entry-exit gas transportation tariffs, which would allow shippers to book capacities independently at entry and exit points and lay the groundwork for a virtual national gas hub and a future Indian benchmark.
To deepen participation on gas exchanges, the committee urged greater involvement of major consumers in fertiliser, power, CGD, refining and petrochemicals. It suggested removing caps on high-pressure, high-temperature gas trading, gradually bringing administered price mechanism gas into exchange markets, and rolling out Gas Release Programmes requiring a proportion of domestic or LNG supply to be traded on exchanges.
Aligning gas and power markets was another key recommendation, with proposals to synchronise operating timelines and introduce a day-ahead gas market with four six-hour trading blocks. The panel also backed a Renewable Gas Certificate mechanism for compressed biogas, enabling obligated and voluntary entities to meet blendina taraets through a regulated, market-based certificate system.
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Ethanol blending yields ₹1.55 lakh crore forex savings for India over 11 years: Hardeep Singh Puri
Petroleum Minister credited ethanol blending, which increased from 1.5 per cent to nearly 19.97 per cent in the last 11 years, for substituting about 260 lakh metric tonnes of crude oil. Ethanol blending in petrol by Public Sector Oil Marketing Companies has resulted in foreign exchange conservation amounting to more than ₹1,55,000 crore in the last 11 years from Ethanol Supply Year (ESY) 2014-15 to ESY 2024-25 (up to October 2025), Minister of Petroleum and Natural Gas, Hardeep Singh Puri, informed Parliament on Thursday.
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In a statement tabled in the Lok Sabha, the minister informed that the government has implemented various initiatives to promote biofuels and green hydrogen, including achieving 20 per cent ethanol blending under the Ethanol Blending Programme, and broadening the scope of feedstock to enhance ethanol availability.
To support ethanol production, the government has expanded feedstock availability, introduced an administered price mechanism for procurement, reduced GST on ethanol used in the programme to 5 per cent and rolled out interest subvention schemes.
Puri credited ethanol blending, which increased from 1.5 per cent to nearly 19.97 per cent in the last 11 years, for substituting about 260 lakh metric tonnes of crude oil.
Currently, the operational pipeline infrastructure for hydrocarbon transport includes 10,400 km of pipeline for crude oil transportation, 24,000 km for petroleum product transportation, and 25,429 km of natural gas pipeline.
Furthermore, financial incentives worth ₹8,500 crore has been approved for promoting coal/lignite gasification projects, he informed.
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IGX Gas Trading Surges 181%, CGD Sector Drives Growth
The Indian Gas Exchange (IGX) achieved a monthly traded gas volume of 8.8mn MMBtu (221 MMSCM) in November 2025, recording a 181% increase month-on-month (MoM) and a 249% year-on-year (YoY) increase. The surge in activity was primarily driven by demand from the City Gas Distribution (CGD) sector, as contract prices linked to Henry Hub were higher than the prevailing spot prices on IGX, which are benchmarked by the Indian Gas Price Index.
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The IGX benchmark price, GIXI, for November 2025 stood at ₹993/11.2 per MMBtu, up 2% MoM. Prices trended downward on a YoY basis, reflecting broader international trends driven by ample supply and relatively stagnant demand. Regional GIXI indices demonstrated variations due to transmission and tax differentials, with the GIXI-West index at ₹996/11.2 per MMBtu, similar to the All India rate, while GIXI-East and GIXI-South were 3% and 9% lower, respectively.
International spot gas benchmarks also indicated a downward trend on a YoY basis. European TTF settled at $10.5/MMBtu, down 24% from the previous year, and WIM-Ex Dahej was $11.93/MMBtu, down 22% YoY. In contrast, the US Henry Hub rose to $4.5/MMBtu, up 49% YoY. The GIXI-Dahej index for November 2025 was ₹994/11.2 per MMBtu, reflecting a 3% decrease compared to the previous month, and traded at a 6% ($0.7/MMBtu) discount to the WIM-Ex Dahej settled price.
Approximately 75% of the total traded volume on IGX consisted of free-market gas, with the remaining 25% being domestic High Pressure High Temperature (HPHT) gas sold at the ceiling price of $9.72/MMBtu. Producers traded nearly 8 MMSCM of domestic gas at delivery points including Bokaro (CBM), Hazira-ONGC and the KG basin.
During the month, IGX executed 222 trades, with Dahej being the most active delivery point for free-market gas, while Gadimoga led in ceiling-price gas trades. November also saw the first trade at the newly launched KG basin – Tatipaka delivery point, along with the introduction of a Balance of the Month (BoM) contract. Total exchange-traded deliveries for the month amounted to 6.4mn MMBtu.
IGX Benefits From CGD
The growth in IGX trading aligns with India’s broader push toward gas-based energy consumption. According to the Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas, the CGD sector continues to expand rapidly, supporting urban and industrial fuel needs.
Rajesh K Mediratta, MD & CEO of IGX, told Economic Times that transparent price discovery via IGX helps make gas more affordable and improves market efficiency.
The city gas distribution network in India now spans 307 Geographical Areas (Gas), covering nearly 100% of the country’s geographical area, except for islands, and touching around 784 districts across 34 states and Union Territories, reported ANI citing a statement from Petroleum and Natural Gas Regulatory Board.
https://www.outlookbusiness.com/planet/industry/igx-gas-trading-surges-181-cgd-demand
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LNG Use / LNG Development and Shipping
Oil & Natural Gas Corpn signs 15-year deal with Petronet LNG
Oil & Natural Gas Corporation (ONGC) and Petronet LNG (PLL) have entered into a 15-Years Ethane Unloading, Storage and Handling (USH) Services Binding Term Sheet (commencing between October December 2028 and ending on the fifteenth (15th) anniversary of the commencement date).
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PLL is developing ethane unloading, storage and handling (USH) facilities with ethane storage tank capacity of approx. 1,70,000 Cubic Meters at Dahej, Gujarat. PLL is also constructing a unique third jetty at Dahej which will be capable of handling Ethane and Propane in addition to LNG.
As per the term sheet, ONGC shall reserve capacity of approximately 600 KTPA at PLL’s Ethane storage and handling facilities at Dahej, Gujarat. PLL shall receive, store and handle Ethane sourced and imported by ONGC/its subsidiary or affiliate(s) at Dahej, Gujarat and re deliver Ethane to ONGC at the Delivery Point. The term sheet shall form basis for definitive agreements between the parties.
As per the commitments under the binding term sheet, PLL is expected to earn a gross revenue of about Rs 5,000 crore over the total contract duration of 15 years. The transaction under the said term sheet shall commence from FY 2028-2029. It represents a significant milestone in PLL’s strategic vision to develop and offer ethane import infrastructure to third parties, thereby expanding its business portfolio beyond LNG and strengthening its position in India’s petrochemical and energy value chain. PLL’s under-construction unique third jetty will facilitate unloading, storage and handling ethane, propane and LNG at Dahej and will be f irst-of-its-kind in India which shall be made available for third-party imports. This step of PLL underscores its commitment for enabling growth of downstream industries such as Petrochemical sector through world-class import infrastructure for ethane and propane in addition to its existing LNG regasification infrastructure.
As part of its long-term strategy to ensure a reliable and consistent supply of ethane to ONGC Petro Additions Limited (OPaL), ONGC plans to procure and import ethanevia Very Large Ethane Carriers (VLECs) of approximately 100,000 CBM capacityon long-term, short-term and spot basis. This agreement provides ONGC with assured capacity booking for the import of ethane to meet the feedstock requirements of OPaL. ONGC’s subsidiary, ONGC Petro Additions Limited (OPaL), operates one of India’s largest petrochemical complexes located at Dahej, Gujarat, which includes a world-scale ethylene cracker unit using ethane as the primary feedstock.
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Petronet LNG climbs after sealing 15-year pact with ONGC
Petronet LNG climbed 3.46% to Rs 278.25 after the company announced a long-term agreement with ONGC for developing and operating ethane import and handling infrastructure at Dahej. Both companies have signed a 15-year binding term sheet for ethane unloading, storage and handling services, with operations scheduled to begin between October and December 2028. Under the arrangement, ONGC will reserve about 600 KTPA capacity at Petronet’s upcoming ethane facilities in Dahej, where the firm is building a 1.7-lakh cubic metre storage tank and a new multi-cargo jetty capable of handling ethane, propane and LNG.
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Petronet expects to generate roughly Rs 5,000 crore in gross revenue over the contract period. The company described the deal as a major step toward expanding its portfolio beyond LNG by offering ethane import infrastructure to third parties and supporting Indias petrochemical ecosystem.
ONGC, meanwhile, plans to import ethane through Very Large Ethane Carriers to meet the feedstock requirements of its subsidiary ONGC Petro Additions (OPaL), which runs a large ethylene cracker complex at Dahej. The agreement ensures secured capacity for ONGCs long-term ethane needs.
The term sheet was signed in New Delhi in the presence of ONGC CMD Arun Kumar Singh and Petronet LNG MD & CEO Akshay Kumar Singh. The companies noted that although ONGC is a promoter of Petronet, the transaction has been executed on an arms-length basis.
Petronet LNG is a joint venture promoted by four Oil & Gas Maharatna PSUsGAIL, ONGC, IOCL, and BPCLeach holding a 12.5% equity stake. It handles nearly two-thirds of Indias LNG imports and operates 43% of the countrys regasification capacity, generating about Rs 51,000 crore in FY 202425. With terminals at Dahej and Kochi offering a combined 22.5 MMTPA capacity, the company is expanding Dahej to the same level and developing a new 5 MMTPA terminal at Gopalpur. It is also building a PDH-PP complex and ethane-propane handling facilities at Dahej, strengthening its role in Indias natural gas and petrochemical ecosystem.
On a consolidated basis, net profit of Petronet LNG declined 4.63% to Rs 830.30 crore while net sales declined 15.47% to Rs 11009.13 crore in Q2 September 2025 over Q2 September 2024.
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Torrent Power signs 10 year LNG supply agreement with Japan’s JERA
Under the agreement, the LNG will be used for Torrent Power’s 2,730 MW combined-cycle gas-fired power plants and to support demand from its city gas distribution arm. Gujarat-based energy and power company Torrent Power Ltd, on Monday, said that it has signed a long-term Sale and Purchase Agreement with Japan’s JERA Co., Inc. for the supply of up to 0.27 million metric tonnes per annum of liquefied natural gas for ten years starting in 2027.
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Under the agreement, the LNG will be used for Torrent Power’s 2,730 MW combined-cycle gas-fired power plants and to support demand from its city gas distribution arm, Torrent Gas Ltd. The company said the arrangement is part of its plan to ensure gas availability for household, commercial, industrial and transport consumers.
Torrent Power stated that the deal will help secure long-term fuel supply for power generation and gas distribution and aligns with India’s objective of increasing the share of natural gas in the energy mix. The company added that it plans to explore further medium- and long-term LNG procurement to meet rising demand across its operations.
According to the filing, Torrent Power has a generation portfolio of 4.96 GW, comprising gas-based, renewable, and coal-based capacity. Its distribution business supplies nearly 31 billion units of power to more than 4.21 million consumers across multiple states and union territories.
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Electric Mobility/ Hydrogen/Bio-Methane
Indian scientists develop new technique to boost catalysts for clean hydrogen production
Scientists at the Centre for Nano and Soft Matter Sciences (CeNS) in Bengaluru have developed an innovative method to enhance the performance of catalysts used in water splitting, a key process in producing clean hydrogen. The breakthrough addresses a long-standing challenge in the oxygen evolution reaction (OER), which is slower and more energy-intensive than the hydrogen evolution reaction (HER).
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Researchers focused on improving coordination polymers (COPs), a class of materials formed by metal ions and organic molecules that are widely used in electrolysis. Although COPs hold promise, their catalytic activity has been limited because they are typically surrounded by water and solvent molecules, leaving few active sites available for reactions.
The CeNS team, working under the Department of Science and Technology, used argon plasma treatment to activate the COPs by generating coordinatively unsaturated metal sites. This modification significantly boosted their electrocatalytic performance while maintaining the structural integrity of the material.
Detailed structural tests—including X-ray diffraction, TEM imaging and XPS analysis—confirmed that the plasma process enhanced the activity of Ni- and Co-based COPs without altering their bulk framework. While the untreated materials showed high onset potentials and sluggish oxygen evolution in alkaline conditions, the plasma-treated versions delivered a substantial improvement in efficiency.
The findings, published in ACS Applied Nano Materials, demonstrate a promising and cost-effective route to improving catalyst performance for water splitting. Scientists say the approach could accelerate progress toward scalable, sustainable and affordable hydrogen energy, a key pillar of global clean-energy goals.
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IIT Roorkee Researchers Advance Catalytic Waste To Hydrogen System
Developed by researcher Narapureddy Siva Mohan Reddy, the system uses catalytic hydrothermal gasification to produce hydrogen-rich gas. The Indian Institute of Technology Roorkee (IIT Roorkee) has transferred a technology for catalytic hydrothermal gasification of organic liquid waste to Infinite Integrated Energy Technologies LLP, advancing ongoing efforts in sustainable waste-to-energy research. The technology enables the conversion of organic liquid waste into hydrogen-rich gas, representing a development of interest in the wider push for cleaner energy pathways.
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Developed by Narapureddy Siva Mohan Reddy at IIT Roorkee, the technology converts organic liquid waste into hydrogen-rich gas through a continuous catalytic hydrothermal gasification process. Designed for scalability, the system is intended to support potential commercial applications in clean-energy production while contributing to ongoing research into waste-to-energy pathways.
The technology is positioned as a sustainable option for waste management, hydrogen recovery, and carbon-emission reduction, aligning with India’s broader goals around renewable energy and circular-economy practices. It allows industries to convert organic effluents and liquid wastes into hydrogen-rich fuel, reframing a persistent environmental challenge as a potential resource stream.
Siva Mohan Reddy, inventor, IIT Roorkee, stated, “Our research focuses on integrating process efficiency with environmental sustainability. This technology demonstrates that hydrogen can be efficiently derived from organic liquid waste, supporting the nation’s clean-energy transition.”
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Havells India partners Kundan Green Energy on solar project for self consumption
Havells India has partnered with Kundan Green Energy to develop a 15 MW AC solar project in Rajasthan for captive power consumption. The project will be implemented through Kundan Solar (Pali), a special purpose vehicle (SPV) created to develop, install, operate, and maintain solar power plants.
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Havells India has announced a partnership with Kundan Green Energy to develop a 15 MW AC solar project in Rajasthan for captive power consumption. The project will be implemented through Kundan Solar (Pali), a special purpose vehicle (SPV) created to develop, install, operate, and maintain solar power plants.
The Havells board has approved the acquisition of a 26% stake in Kundan Solar (Pali). [Under Indian electricity regulations, a minimum 26% equity stake is required for an entity to qualify as a captive consumer of a power project.]
Havells plans to sign a 25-year power purchase agreement (PPA) with the SPV. The company expects the arrangement to reduce electricity costs at its Rajasthan manufacturing facilities, with an estimated payback period of 12–18 months from the plant’s commissioning. The plant is set for commissioning by Q2 FY 2026-27.
The total project investment of INR 72.5 crore will be infused in phases, tied to major development milestones. The project is scheduled for completion by May 31, 2026.
As the lead developer, Kundan Green Energy will manage the entire lifecycle of the project, including regulatory approvals, on-ground execution, and operations and maintenance.
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Nitin Gadkari says using Toyota’s ‘Mirai’ car running on futuristic hydrogen fuel
Union Minister Nitin Gadkari is championing alternative fuels like hydrogen to combat Delhi’s air pollution. He revealed his use of Toyota’s Mirai hydrogen car. The government is prioritising cost-effective, pollution-free indigenous fuels to cut down on massive fossil fuel imports. This shift aims to make India an energy exporter and boost its automotive industry to global leadership.
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Amid air pollution in Delhi, Road Transport and Highways Minister Nitin Gadkari on Thursday said the central government is giving priority to alternative fuels, and he has started using Toyota’s ‘Mirai’ hydrogen fuel-cell car.
“The futuristic fuel is hydrogen.. I have also got a car, which is hydrogen, and the car is from Toyota … It gives the same comfort as Mercedes. The name of the car is Mirai, which is a Japanese word meaning future,” Gadkari said during Question Hour in the Lok Sabha.
The Union minister said the import of fossil fuel is costing India Rs 22 lakh crore, and it is also creating a lot of pollution.
“Because of pollution, you are all facing the crucial problem; I am also facing the problem in Delhi,” he said, as he expressed confidence that as India moves to alternative fuel, the country will become a net exporter of energy.
During 2024-25, India imported around 300 million metric tons of crude and petroleum products and exported about 65 million metric tons.
The country meets about 88 per cent of its crude oil and 51 per cent of its gas needs through imports.
Gadkari said the Centre is enabling policies to incentivise the use of alternative and bio-fuel, as it is important to move towards a cost-effective import substitute, pollution-free and indigenous fuel.
He further said India’s automobile industry, with a size of Rs 22 lakh crore, has moved up to the third position in the world, surpassing Japan. The first is the United States with an auto industry size of Rs 79 lakh crore, and China is second with Rs 49 lakh crore.
“I am confident because of electric vehicle, with some years we will be number one (auto industry) of the world. We are supporting all the bio-fuel as for ecology and environment to prevent air pollution,” Gadkari said, adding research is underway regarding a charging system for EVs.
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KPI Green Energy Secures one of Gujarat Government’s First Floating Solar EPC Project – Bags 142 MWp (DC) / 110 MW (AC) Contract From GSECL
New Delhi : KPI Green Energy Limited, one of India’s largest integrated renewable energy solution providers, has achieved a remarkable milestone by securing a landmark 142 MWp (DC) / 110 MW (AC) floating solar EPC contract from Gujarat State Electricity Corporation Limited (GSECL). The project, located at the reservoir of Kadana Dam in Mahisagar district, Gujarat, marks a major expansion of the company’s renewable energy capabilities into the high-potential floating solar segment.
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The EPC contract covers complete design, engineering, procurement, construction and installation of the floating PV system, alongside grid-connection works that include a 33 kV underground transmission line to the pooling station and 33/220 kV bays at the Kadana substation.
“Winning the 110 MW (AC) floating solar EPC contract from GSECL is a major milestone for KPI Green Energy Limited and the KP Group. It expands our portfolio into next-gen floating solar technology, reinforces our full-service EPC credentials, and underscores our commitment to driving India’s energy transition. We look forward to executing this project safely, on time, and to the highest quality standards.” Dr. Faruk G. Patel, Founder, Chairman and MD, KP Group
The project, which will be executed over 18 months, also includes a 10-year operations and maintenance component. KPI Green said the contract strengthens its position across ground-mounted, rooftop and now floating solar segments.
This marks a landmark contract for KPI Green Energy and underscores the Company’s growing leadership in large-scale renewable energy infrastructure. The floating solar project represents a strategic diversification for the company — combining solar power generation with innovative floating PV technology —and positions KPI Green Energy not only as a leading Power Producer in the segment but also as a premier EPC solutions provider across ground-mounted, rooftop, and now floating solar segments.
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Avaada Group Signs MoU with GRIDCO and IIT-Bhubaneswar to Establish Green Hydrogen Centre of Excellence in Odisha
Avaada Group has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with GRIDCO and the Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Bhubaneswar to set up a Centre of Excellence (CoE) dedicated to Green Hydrogen research and innovation in Odisha.
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The proposed facility will focus on integrated studies across the Green Hydrogen value chain, including energy storage, industrial use cases, and mobility applications. It will also analyse the techno-economic feasibility of emerging hydrogen technologies. The initiative supports the Odisha Renewable Energy Policy 2022 and aligns with India’s National Green Hydrogen Mission (NGHM).
Under the agreement, Avaada Group will establish an extension facility of the CoE within its Odisha production site, equipped with research teams and specialised testing infrastructure. The company will also support key R&D programmes undertaken through the CoE.
As per the collaboration framework, GRIDCO will act as the implementing agency responsible for coordinating with the Ministry of New and Renewable Energy (MNRE) and the Government of Odisha on funding and project execution. IIT-Bhubaneswar will serve as the host academic institution, providing land, research capabilities, and institutional support. Oversight will be led by the Principal Secretary of Odisha’s Energy Department.
Avaada Group Chairman Vineet Mittal said the collaboration represents a significant step forward in advancing India’s clean hydrogen research ecosystem.
“We are excited to partner with GRIDCO and IIT-Bhubaneswar for setting up the Centre of Excellence for Green Hydrogen in Odisha,” Mittal said. “This initiative marks an important milestone in India’s clean energy journey and will help accelerate the transition toward a net-zero future.”
MNRE has allocated ₹400 crore under NGHM to support research and innovation in the Green Hydrogen sector, including the establishment of Centres of Excellence across the country to advance technology development in production, transportation, storage, and applications.
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Indian Railways’ first hydrogen train ready for trials in major step toward green rail technology
Indian Railways: Vaishnaw stated that the newly built train is “currently the world’s longest (10 coaches) and most powerful (2400 kW) hydrogen train set on a broad-gauge platform. The train comprises two Driving Power Cars (DPCs) of 1200 kW each and eight passenger coaches
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Indian Railways has completed manufacturing its first hydrogen-powered train, a cutting-edge pilot project designed as per specifications from the Research, Design & Standards Organisation (RDSO), Railways Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw informed the Lok Sabha on Wednesday.
In a written reply, Vaishnaw said the initiative aims to demonstrate the use of hydrogen-powered technology in train operations. To support the rollout, a dedicated hydrogen production plant has been proposed in Jind, where hydrogen will be generated through electrolysis — a key component of green hydrogen production.
The Minister highlighted that the Hydrogen Train-set includes several “prominent elements,” including a fully India-designed and India-developed train, underscoring the Railways’ commitment to Atmanirbhar Bharat.
Vaishnaw stated that the newly built train is “currently the world’s longest (10 coaches) and most powerful (2400 kW) hydrogen train set on a broad-gauge platform. The train comprises two Driving Power Cars (DPCs) of 1200 kW each and eight passenger coaches.One of its defining advantages, according to the minister, is its environmentally friendly performance. He noted that the train ensures “zero CO₂ emissions; the only emission is water vapour.”Calling the initiative a major leap toward next-generation railway fuel technology, Vaishnaw said the project involved designing the system from scratch, fabricating prototypes and developing hydrogen traction technology for Indian Railways for the first time.
He also clarified that since both the train and its enabling infrastructure have been created under a pilot programme, “a direct comparison of the cost of hydrogen-fuelled trains with established traction systems at this stage would not be fair.”
Vaishnaw added that the hydrogen train pilot underscores the Railways’ commitment to pushing clean-energy alternatives and fostering a greener, more sustainable transportation future for India.
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INTERNATIONAL NEWS
Natural Gas / Transnational Pipelines/ Others
Italy: Saipem cheers first gas milestone on rig-turned-FPU at Eni’s African project
Italy’s engineering, drilling, and construction services giant Saipem has confirmed the achievement of first gas at an asset that was recently converted from a semi-submersible drilling rig into a floating production unit (FPU) deployed at Eni’s liquefied natural gas (LNG) project off the coast of Congo, Africa.
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While corroborating the introduction of first gas on Scarabeo 5, which forms part of Congo LNG, the country’s first natural gas liquefaction project, Saipem emphasized the milestone was reached ahead of schedule.
“With this achievement, Phase 2 of Eni’s Congo LNG project is officially underway, targeting the export of the first LNG cargo in early 2026. This major milestone highlights our fast-track execution capabilities and our distinctive approach, which has enabled us to significantly reduce project time to market,” added the Italian giant.
Saipem was in charge of engineering, procurement, construction, transportation, and commissioning of the FPU and CIMC Raffles was tasked with the main conversion activities, including the dismantling of the drilling system, repairing and refurnishing the marine system, implementing brand new topside process modules, and converting the vessel.
The confirmation of first gas comes only a day after Eni announced the start-up of Congo LNG Phase 2, which allows the FLNG Nguya to work alongside the FLNG Tango that has been deployed at the project since late 2023.
This LNG project is envisioned to exploit the gas resources of the Marine XII project with the installation of two FLNG units at the Nenè and Litchendjili fields. From a drilling rig to a fully integrated gas treatment, separation, and compression unit, Scarabeo 5 is said to now incorporate advanced decarbonization solutions.
This is perceived to demonstrate how circular economy principles and industrial reuse can drive sustainable energy innovation, according to Saipem, which added: “A special thank you to our onshore and offshore teams in Congo, whose dedication and commitment ensured a safe and successful start-up.”
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Peru awards contract to support natural gas concession
Peru’s investment promotion agency ProInversión awarded a contract to support the development of a public-private partnership (PPP) for natural gas distribution. The US$60mn PPP covers the southern regions of Arequipa, Moquegua and Tacna, which are served by the Sur Oeste concession. The concession is operated by national oil company Petroperú under a government mandate through December 19, 2026.
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The contract was awarded to consultant Nicolás Enrique Llanos Flores, a former natural gas management director at the energy and mines ministry and former employee of energy and mining investment regulator Osinergmin.
The 12-month contract includes providing technical support for the PPP’s development, evaluating deliverables assigned to the structuring consultant, and analyzing gas market changes that could affect the promotion process.
The call for bids was issued last month.
In a related development, hydrocarbons association SPH and the Cusco commerce chamber signed a framework interinstitutional cooperation agreement to promote natural gas use in the region.
https://www.bnamericas.com/en/news/peru-awards-contract-to-support-natural-gas-concession
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Aramco’s Jafurah Shale Gas Project Begins Production at 450 mmcf/d
Saudi Aramco’s Jafurah shale gas project has commenced production at 450 million standard cubic feet per day (mmscf/d), marking the completion of the project’s first phase, Saudi Arabia’s Finance Ministry revealed, Reuters reported. The milestone was highlighted in the kingdom’s 2026 budget statement as one of the key achievements of 2025.
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Jafurah, the largest shale natural gas development outside the US, holds an estimated 229 trillion standard cubic feet of raw natural gas and is valued at $100 billion. The project is expected to reach sustained production of 2 billion cubic feet per day by 2030, enabling Saudi Arabia to divert crude oil currently used for domestic power generation toward more lucrative exports.
Aramco CEO Amin Nasser, who previously described Jafurah as a crown jewel in the company’s portfolio, said in November 2025 that the first phase was on schedule for completion by year-end. Aramco declined to comment on the announcement.
Earlier in 2025, Aramco secured $11 billion through a lease-and-leaseback transaction for Jafurah’s natural gas processing facilities with a consortium led by Global Infrastructure Partners, part of BlackRock. The broader development is central to Aramco’s strategy to expand its global natural gas footprint and boost production capacity.
Saudi Arabia’s natural gas sector is anchored by major processing plants, including Wasit, Fadhili, and Hawiyah, which form the core of Aramco’s Master Gas System. These facilities handle large volumes of non-associated natural gas, supply fuel for power generation and industry, and support the kingdom’s strategy to free up more crude for export.
https://egyptoil-gas.com/news/aramcos-jafurah-shale-gas-project-begins-production-at-450-mmcf-d/
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Turkey Eyes US Gas Field Investments After Wave of LNG Deals
Turkey is exploring investments in US oil and gas fields as it accelerates a sweeping overhaul of its energy portfolio that’s so far been built around American LNG. Turkish Petroleum Corp. is in talks with Chevron Corp., Exxon Mobil Corp. and other US majors to take positions in upstream assets, as part of Turkey’s plan to expand from its growing exposure to liquefied natural gas, the country’s Energy Minister Alparslan Bayraktar said Wednesday on the sidelines of the World LNG summit in Istanbul. Announcements might come as early as next month, he said.
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The plan adds a new layer to Turkey’s expanding relationship with the US, which has become a major source of long-term gas supply to Ankara. While Turkey is looking to secure access to fuels that are key to power the energy-hungry $1.4 trillion economy and diversify sources away from Russia and Azerbaijan, it’s also a way for President Recep Tayyip Erdogan to boost influence and build economic relationships.
The country has done LNG deals with companies including Mercuria Energy Group and Woodside Energy Group Ltd. for LNG supply, mainly from plants in the US. This week, it agreed 10-year contracts with Eni SpA and Germany’s SEFE.
Turkey has signed 150 billion cubic meters of long-term LNG agreements since late 2024, with much of the supply starting between 2027 and 2030. Bayraktar said US LNG has become “more competitive” than pipeline gas from Russia and Iran.
Turkey has imported 5.2 million tons of LNG so far this year, according to data compiled by BloombergNEF. That compares with 3.98 million tons for all of 2024. Additional supply also gives Turkish companies the option to boost gas trading to maximize profits.
Bayraktar said the country expects to take about 1,500 LNG cargoes over the next 10–15 years, with most indexed to Henry Hub gas pricing in the US.
To accommodate rising imports, Turkey plans to add two new floating storage and regasification units, expanding its fleet to five. Ankara plans to send one of these units to Egypt for the summer months to help cover Cairo’s seasonal gas shortages and is in talks with other countries, including Morocco, for similar arrangements.
Bayraktar also said Turkey could double annual gas transfer capacity to Bulgaria to as much as 7–10 billion cubic meters, pending minor upgrades on the Bulgarian side. That could unlock additional volumes for Southeast Europe and potentially for Ukraine.
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Oman: OQ Gas Networks Acquires Key Pipeline in Block 61 for $104 Million
Oman’s natural gas transportation network operator, OQ Gas Networks (OQGN), on Tuesday signed a major agreement to acquire a critical gas transportation pipeline in Block 61 for nearly 40 million Omani Rials ($104 million). Block 61 is known for hosting crucial gas fields, such as Khazzan and Ghazeer gas fields, supplying about 1.5 billion cubic feet per day (bcf/d), enough to cover 35% of Oman’s domestic gas demands.
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The company formalized the acquisition by signing an Asset Transfer Agreement with the Ministry of Energy and Minerals and the Ministry of Finance.
According to a disclosure filed with the Muscat Stock Exchange, the deal, valued at RO39.991 million ($104 million), was formalised by signing an Asset Transfer Agreement with the Ministry of Energy and Minerals and the Ministry of Finance.
The deal effectively transfers ownership of the 36-inch Ghazeer Phase-2 gas transportation pipeline to OQGN. The newly acquired infrastructure, which spans 65 kilometers, will be integrated into OQGN’s Regulated Asset Base (RAB).
According to OQGN, the acquisition is a strategic move designed to further consolidate national gas transportation assets and supports its goal of leading energy infrastructure development across the sultanate.
OQGN maintains a natural monopoly over Oman’s essential gas transmission infrastructure, operating more than 4,000 kilometers of pipeline network. The company’s mission is to manage and develop the National Gas Transmission Network (NGTN) using innovative and sustainable solutions.
OQGN’s extensive network is vital to the Omani economy, supplying natural gas to a diverse array of major industries, including power generation, water desalination, and manufacturing sectors such as cement, aluminum, fertilizer, and petrochemical plants.
This latest acquisition strengthens OQGN’s ability to ensure reliable energy delivery to these critical consumers.
https://www.pipeline-journal.net/news/oq-gas-networks-acquires-key-pipeline-block-61-104-million
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Brazil piped gas distributors seen investing over US$1.9bn in five years
Investments by piped gas distributors over the next five years in Brazil are expected to exceed 10 billion reais (US$1.9bn), estimates Marcelo Mendonça, chief executive officer of the local association Abegás. He pointed out that the distribution of piped gas in Brazil is a growing sector and that consumption in the residential segment still has low penetration, with approximately 5% market share. “In neighboring countries such as Colombia and Argentina, this share is 65% and 59%, respectively, so there is room for more investment,” he told BNamericas.
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Between 2019 and 2024, the length of the distribution network in Brazil increased by about 22%, going from 36,429km to 44,620km. Abegás expects the pace of expansion to remain at this average, possibly ranging from 3% to 5% per year, above the average growth of the national GDP.
For Mendonça, all Brazilian regions have great growth potential, especially if public policies are adopted that encourage the use of natural gas and biomethane in heavy vehicle fleets.
Among the highlights are states such as São Paulo and Espírito Santo, served by Comgás/Necta and ESGás, respectively, which have recently undergone approvals of new tariff cycles for the next five years.
The executive mentioned infrastructure investments in Paraná, where Compagas will supply the municipalities of Londrina and Cambé; Necta’s plans in the northwest of São Paulo, which is expected to build a network in São José do Rio Preto; and Gasmig’s in Minas Gerais, with the recent inauguration of the trunk line of the Centro-Oeste Gas Pipeline.
There is also Gás Sudoeste, a project by Bahiagás that will connect Jequié and nine other municipalities in Bahia; the Gás Sal gas pipeline, by Potigás, which will bring natural gas to the municipality of Areia Branca to supply the salt-producing region of Rio Grande do Norte; and the structuring project by Cegás to bring gas to the Cariri region, in Ceará.
Mendonça also highlighted the works of Cigás in Manaus, in Amazonas, for the gas pipeline that will serve the Manaus 1 thermoelectric plant and to diversify its operations into the residential and commercial segments, in addition to the inauguration of a new distribution system in the Industrial District of Cuiabá, in Mato Grosso, by MTGás.
Other examples include Naturgy investments in infrastructure for “sustainable corridors” project on the highways between Rio and São Paulo; those of Copergás to bring gas to a gypsum hub in Arapirina, in Pernambuco; and those of Sulgás (of the Cosan group) to connect a biomethane plant in Rio Grande do Sul.
“The distributors are very committed to identifying opportunities to expand the infrastructure,” said Mendonça.
Structural transformation
A study by Abegás conducted in partnership with Quantum and Commit indicates that the piped gas distribution sector in Brazil is undergoing a structural transformation: the network has grown from approximately 4,000km in 1999 to more than 45,000km in 2024, an expansion of over 1,000%.
The growth of the natural gas market, however, has not been accompanied by the other links in the chain, such as production and transportation.
“There are still bottlenecks in supply and transportation infrastructure, which prevent greater use of gas and the recovery of suppressed demand in the industry,” warned Mendonça.
The research shows that market diversification, including the residential, commercial, and heavy transportation segments, is crucial for tariff moderation and for reducing exposure to economic variations in a single segment.
“States with greater diversification, such as Rio de Janeiro and São Paulo, suffer less impact from changes in other segments, such as industry. Diversification allows for economies of scope and the dilution of costs,” explained Abegás’s economic-regulatory director, Marcos Lopomo.
Auctions
In Abegás’ assessment, the contracting of thermal power plants through capacity reserve auctions (LRCAP) should ensure a percentage of inflexibility, helping to preserve the levels of hydroelectric reservoirs in a more stable way.
The association advocates that gas-fired power plants be connected to the distribution network, ensuring that the movement of the molecule is carried out by the utility companies, preventing the bypass and safeguarding regulatory harmonization in the sector.
“This is important, including for tariff affordability and the economic–financial balance of the concessions,” argued Mendonça.
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Equinor Makes Two Large Gas Discoveries in Norway’s North Sea
Equinor announced on Friday two gas and condensate discoveries in the Norwegian part of the North Sea in its largest discoveries so far this year that can be developed through existing infrastructure. Equinor made the discoveries in the Lofn and Langemann wells in the Sleipner area of the North Sea, in a license located between the operating Gudrun and Eirin fields. Preliminary estimates indicate the reservoirs may contain between 30 and 110 million barrels of recoverable oil equivalents.
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“The Sleipner area is an important hub for Norwegian gas exports to Europe. These discoveries strengthen our optimism for further exploration in the area,” said Kjetil Hove, executive vice president for Exploration & Production Norway at Equinor.
Equinor and its partners in the licenses plan to drill five additional exploration wells, Hove added, noting that “adding new volumes is essential to maintain export capacity and value creation from the area.”
Discoveries near existing fields can be developed quickly through subsea facilities, with limited environmental impact, very low CO2 emissions from production, and strong profitability, Hove said.
Equinor and other operators on the Norwegian Continental Shelf are exploring prospects near operational fields to take advantage of the existing infrastructure to raise oil and gas production via tie-backs and tie-ins, which are cheaper than investing in standalone developments.
Earlier this week, Vår Energi confirmed an oil discovery very close to its Goliat field in the Barents Sea, the first operating Arctic oilfield offshore Norway.
Norway has been boosting its gas production since 2022 when it overtook Russia as Europe’s top gas supplier. Not a member of the EU, but a NATO founding member and key EU and UK ally, Norway looks to continue providing the gas Europe needs.
Companies operating offshore Norway are raising production of gas and oil, with the support of the Norwegian government, which continues to bet on the oil and gas industry and the massive revenues it raises for the country and its sovereign wealth fund, the world’s largest.
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Natural Gas / LNG Utilization / Bio-LNG
China: WinGD introduces high-pressure LNG engine for container shipping sector
The X-DF-HP engine will be offered in X82 and X92 bore sizes, with deliveries anticipated to start in 2028. WinGD, a Swiss marine power company, has unveiled its first high-pressure liquefied natural gas (LNG) dual-fuel engine, the X-DF-HP. Showcased at Marintec China 2025, the engine targets applications in ultra-large container vessels (ULCVs).
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The X-DF-HP will be available in X82 and X92 bore sizes, with deliveries expected to begin in 2028.
According to WinGD, the introduction of the X-DF-HP comes as shipowners face a shifting regulatory environment, with the International Maritime Organization’s Net Zero Framework currently on hold and regional rules becoming more varied.
WinGD noted that the X-DF-HP is made for the operational requirements of ULCVs and is expected to provide improved efficiency compared with established diesel engines and similar dual-fuel designs.
The new engine uses auxiliary systems, including fuel supply pressure, that are similar to those required by other well-known engine models. This is intended to simplify installation for shipyards.
WinGD market development vice president Benny Hilstrom said: “Large container vessels present a unique propulsion challenge. They demand immense power, exceptional efficiency and long-term fuel flexibility.
“With the X-DF-HP, we are providing operators with a purpose-built solution for the most power-hungry vessels, offering uncompromised, trouble-free propulsion.”
The X-DF-HP is said to achieve Tier III compliance in both gas and diesel modes using only a standard selective catalytic reduction (SCR) system.
According to WinGD, this engine offers operators an option that addresses the needs of large container vessels.
The X-DF-HP extends WinGD’s high-pressure, multi-fuel portfolio, which also features engines designed for methanol, ethanol, or ammonia operation.
Existing engines such as the X92-B can be retrofitted for high-pressure LNG or other alternative fuels as industry requirements change.
WinGD said that LNG use allows for FuelEU Maritime compliance through the next decade and points out that both its low-pressure X-DF and high-pressure X-DF-HP engines are compatible with renewable methane blends.
This compatibility is expected assist operators looking to reduce carbon emissions without significant mechanical changes or costly retrofits.
WinGD research and development vice president Sebastian Hensel said: “The X-DF-HP is built on the high-pressure Diesel X92-B engine platform that has already proven itself as one of the most efficient and reliable large-bore solutions in the container segment.
“Building on our long-standing diesel engine expertise and our deep experience in LNG dual-fuel technology, we’ve developed the X‑DF‑HP.”
In October this year, WinGD announced plans to launch its first ethanol-fuelled two-stroke marine engine in 2026, with initial deliveries scheduled for 2027.
https://www.ship-technology.com/news/wingd-high-pressure-lng-engine/
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Colombia: Vitol Slated to Supply New Colombia LNG Project
Vitol Group is expected to supply a new liquefied natural gas import terminal in Colombia for five years starting in 2027, the project’s developer said. The project is part of push to rapidly build LNG import terminals in Colombia, which is facing a natural gas deficit due to lower domestic production and rising demand. The country currently has one LNG import terminal in operation, with a slate of new projects proposed by state oil company Ecopetrol SA and others.
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Amazónica LNG’s project will be located near Barranquilla, Colombia, on the country’s Atlantic coast. The facility will use a floating storage unit and include small-scale LNG services.
The contract with Vitol will cover as much as 4 million tons of LNG over the five-year period, starting in the second quarter of 2027, according to a message from Amazónica LNG sent to Bloomberg News. Amazónica LNG is a joint venture between port logistics company Retramar and private equity fund Affinity Energy.
A spokesperson for Vitol did not immediately respond to a request for comment.
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Italy: Axpo and GNV complete first ship-to-ship bioLNG refuelling in Italy
Italian energy firm Axpo and ferry operator GNV have completed Italy’s first ship-to-ship bioLNG bunkering operation at the Port of Genoa. The six-hour operation involved the refuelling of 500 cubic metres (cbm) of bioLNG onto the long-distance ferry GNV Virgo – enough to fuel the vessel’s return voyage to Palermo.
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GNV CEO Matteo Catani said the introduction of LNG into its daily operations not only significantly lowers emissions but also allows it to gain hands-on experience with new technologies that will shape the future of European maritime transport.
“We are working to make the use of bioLNG a structural solution for our operations,” he said. “We are aware that, at present, the availability of this fuel remains limited and requires significant investments, as well as the development of a supply chain capable of ensuring stable, large-scale provision. Costs are still high, and the quantity available on the market is not sufficient to meet growing demand.”
Daniele Corti, Axpo’s Head of Small-Scale LNG, said, “This operation demonstrates our determination to pioneer sustainable LNG solutions across the Mediterranean market. Bio-LNG is essential to achieving global emissions targets while advancing a cleaner, more sustainable future for marine logistics.”
There are signs that bioLNG is beginning to make progress in Europe’s maritime sector.
Norway cruise line Havila Voyages is powering one of its ships with 200 cbm of bioLNG supplied by Barents Naturgass at Polarbase in Hammerfest.
BioLNG offers a credible, near-term decarbonisation option for the maritime industry, according to a position paper from trade body the World Biogas Association.
It forecasts that bioLNG could cover up to 3% of the total energy demand for shipping fuels by 2030, and if used as a drop in fuel blended with fossil fuel LNG, by as much as 16%.
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Global LNG Development
Turkey: Türkiye signs 10-year LNG supply deals with Eni, SEFE
Türkiye’s state energy company BOTAŞ has signed two separate 10-year liquified natural gas (LNG) supply agreements with Germany’s state-owned SEFE and Italy’s Eni, Energy and Natural Resources Minister Alparslan Bayraktar announced on Wednesday.
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The deals, signed on the margins of the World LNG Summit in Istanbul, lift Türkiye’s total long-term liquified natural gas contracts signed this year to 106 billion cubic meters (bcm), Bayraktar said.
Under the agreement with SEFE, deliveries will start in 2028 and total around 6 bcm of gas-equivalent LNG over 10 winter seasons. The deal with Eni will also begin in 2028, with supply totaling 5 bcm of LNG over 10 winter seasons.
Including agreements signed since last September, Türkiye has now secured more than 155 bcm of long-term LNG commitments, Bayraktar said. “This is an important strategic step for the purpose of diversifying our products at more competitive prices and is an alternative to the gas we receive via pipelines,” he noted.
Türkiye has invested heavily in gas infrastructure over the past decade to diversify supply sources and strengthen energy security.
“Since 2016, we have made serious infrastructure investments to be able to benefit from the developing LNG market worldwide and to bring this flexible and more competitive gas to Türkiye,” said Bayraktar.
“We have increased the capacity of our regasification facilities fivefold.”
As a result, from 2021-2022 onward, nearly one-third of Türkiye’s gas consumption in some years has been met by LNG, the minister added. “This has been a remarkable development.”
Türkiye imported around 50 bcm of natural gas last year, including 14.3 bcm in the form of LNG. Russia is the largest pipeline gas supplier, while the U.S. is the main supplier of LNG.
Bayraktar emphasized that Türkiye is not only enhancing its own supply security but also increasingly contributing to that of its neighbors.
He highlighted new arrangements for gas sourcing from Turkmenistan, exports to Nakhchivan through the new connection line and continued deliveries of Azerbaijani gas onward to Syria via the Kilis connection.
Türkiye has reached the position of a gas exporter with its own production and diversified supply portfolio, Bayraktar said, adding that the country is also exporting gas to several European countries
Türkiye is Europe’s fourth-largest gas market with an annual consumption of around 60 bcm.
BOTAŞ now sources gas from 22 countries through 33 companies, Bayraktar said, with excess gas distributed to neighboring markets or networks.
“Even a 2%-3% decline in domestic demand creates export opportunities,” the minister noted. “For Europe, these gas volumes of 2 bcm to 3 bcm carry substantial significance.”
Türkiye currently exports pipeline gas to Bulgaria, Romania, Hungary and Greece, and supplies LNG to North Macedonia and Serbia.
“We have created an important alternative for European countries to purchase LNG through our regasification terminals,” Bayraktar said, adding that Ankara is ready to offer access to its infrastructure for LNG cargoes delivered to Türkiye.
“We can make long-term or short-term commitments to Europeans regarding the use of our infrastructure by bringing their LNG cargoes to us,” he added.
Türkiye is also expanding its international upstream portfolio, with exploration projects underway or planned in Pakistan, Libya, Iraq and Central Asia, he said.
On Tuesday, the state-owned Turkish Petroleum Corporation (TPAO) signed agreements to explore for oil and natural gas at three offshore and two onshore blocks in Pakistan as of next year.
Bayraktar said the country’s rapid expansion of LNG and storage infrastructure has transformed Türkiye into a regional hub for natural gas trade. Regasification capacity has increased fivefold and has reached 161 million cubic meters per day.
He reiterated Türkiye’s plans to scale up production from the Sakarya Gas Field in the Black Sea, estimated to contain 710 bcm of gas. The reserve was gradually discovered between 2020 and 2022. It will meet approximately 30% of the nation’s annual gas needs once the production reaches total capacity.
In mid-May, Türkiye announced the discovery of a new reserve of 75 bcm in the Black Sea.
The first phase at the Sakarya field has been completed, supplying gas sufficient for 4 million households, according to Bayraktar. The second stage is expected to double production next year, while the third phase, planned for 2028, is expected to quadruple current output.
https://www.dailysabah.com/business/energy/turkiye-signs-10-year-lng-supply-deals-with-eni-sefe/amp
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Japan: Agreement signed for Live Oak project
TotalEnergies, TES, Osaka Gas, Toho Gas, and ITOCHU have signed a joint development and operating agreement, granting the Japanese companies a combined 33.3% stake in the Live Oak project – a large scale facility to produce electric natural gas (e-NG), also known as e-methane, initiated by TotalEnergies and TES and currently under development in Nebraska, US.
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Following the agreement, TotalEnergies and TES will each maintain a 33.35% stake in the project.
The partners are now preparing the front-end engineering design (FEED) phase, targeting a capacity of approximately 250 MW of electrolysis and 75 000 tpy of methanation. The project, subject to a final investment decision in 2027, is scheduled to begin commercial operations by 2030, with plans to export e-NG to Japan. Osaka Gas and Toho Gas will be the primary offtakers. This project helps the Japanese gas majors in achieving their goal of injecting 1% carbon neutral gas (such as e-NG) into the gas grid by 2030.
The agreement builds on the strategic partnership established between TotalEnergies and TES in 2023 to pioneer at scale production of e-NG. The Live Oak project will leverage Nebraska’s abundant biogenic CO2 resources, captured from bioethanol plants, and the growing renewable power generation capacity in the US.
The participation of Osaka Gas, Toho Gas, and ITOCHU (as a coordinator of Japanese companies), underscores their commitment to decarbonisation with the adoption of e-NG and positions Live Oak as the leading project for carbon-neutral gas production for Japan.
e-NG is a synthetic gas produced from renewable hydrogen and CO2. Chemically identical to conventional natural gas, e-NG can be integrated into existing LNG infrastructure – liquefaction, transport, regasification, and distribution – without any alterations to consumer equipment.
https://www.hydrocarbonengineering.com/clean-fuels/03122025/agreement-signed-for-live-oak-project/
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South Korea: Glenfarne finalizes 20-year LNG supply deal with South Korea’s POSCO
Glenfarne’s Alaska LNG unit said on Thursday it finalized an agreement to supply 1 million tonnes per annum of liquefied natural gas to South Korean trading firm POSCO International (047050.KS), for 20 years from its planned export project.
This follows a preliminary agreement signed in September.
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Global demand for the superchilled fuel has surged since Russia’s invasion of Ukraine upended gas markets in 2022, driving buyers in Europe and Asia to lock in long-term supply deals with U.S. exporters.
Since becoming majority owner and lead developer in the Alaska LNG project in March, Glenfarne has secured preliminary commercial commitments with buyers in Japan, Korea, Taiwan and Thailand for 11 mtpa of LNG.
As part of the agreement, POSCO will also make a capital investment of an undisclosed amount in Alaska LNG before the final investment decision, and provide a significant portion of the steel for the 807-mile pressurized natural gas pipeline.
The LNG pipeline will link the state’s North Slope gas reserves to Southcentral Alaska and its planned export terminal, with Glenfarne aiming for a final investment decision by the end of the year.
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Argentina Sees Greenlight for $20 Billion LNG Project in Mid-2026
Argentina’s state-run energy firm YPF expects to take together with its foreign partners the final investment decision for the $20-billion Argentina LNG project in the middle of 2026, YPF’s chief executive Horacio Marin told Reuters on Thursday. YPF, Italy’s Eni, and XRG, the new energy investment company of Abu Dhabi’s national oil firm ADNOC, are developing the Argentina LNG (ARGLNG) project. Argentina LNG will be an integrated upstream and midstream gas development project designed to develop the resources of the huge shale basin Vaca Muerta field and serve international markets, exporting LNG in various phases, with first exports potentially by 2030.
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Eni and YPF signed in October the Final Technical Project Description, which involves gas production, processing, transportation, and liquefaction for export through two floating gas liquefaction units (FLNG) with a capacity of 6 million tons per year each.
Last month, Eni and YPF signed a non-binding agreement with XRG for the potential involvement of ADNOC’s company in the 12 MTPA phase of the integrated project.
LNG exports from the 12 MTPA project phase involving Eni and XRG will likely start in 2030 or 2031, Marin said told Reuters today.
Early next year, YPF will retain JP Morgan to seek project financing for this phase, the executive said, adding that project financing usually covers 70% to 80% of similar large-scale projects.
Huge shale gas reserves are laying the foundations of pipeline and LNG exports out of Argentina, which could make South America’s second-largest economy a major force in regional and global gas supply.
Argentina has the resource base—the vast unconventional reserves in the Vaca Muerta shale basin in the Neuquen province. But it needs to build up infrastructure to ship the gas from supply centers to interstate regional pipelines and planned LNG export facilities.
Argentina could see its natural gas production peak at 180 million cubic feet per day (Mmcd) by 2040 under a base-case scenario, with the potential to reach as high as 270 Mmcd if the country successfully develops all its planned LNG export projects, Wood Mackenzie said in a July outlook on the country’s gas and power markets.
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US: Macquarie Places 20-Year Order from Texas LNG
Macquarie Energy LLC, part of trading and financial services multinational Macquarie Group Ltd, has signed a definitive agreement to buy 0.5 million metric tons per annum (MMtpa) of liquefied natural gas (LNG) for 20 years from Glenfarne Group LLC’s Texas LNG project.
“This agreement, along with the three previously announced Texas LNG offtake agreements, brings Texas LNG one step closer to a final investment decision”, said a joint statement Wednesday.
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Earlier this year Glenfarne secured a 20-year contract to supply 0.5 MMtpa of LNG to Gunvor Group Ltd from Texas LNG.
Supply under the agreement, which converted a heads-of-agreement document announced last year, will be delivered to the commodities trader’s Singapore subsidiary on a free-on-board basis, said a joint statement September 10.
Last year Glenfarne signed with EQT Corp a 20-year tolling agreement for natural gas liquefaction services for two MMtpa of LNG from Texas LNG.
“The agreement solidifies the two heads of agreement signed by Texas LNG and EQT” earlier in 2024, Glenfarne said in a press release July 23, 2024.
In August the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) upheld its approval for Texas LNG, acting on a second court remand. FERC also granted Glenfarne’s request to extend the deadline for the start of operations from November 2024 to November 2029.
In July FERC issued a final supplemental environmental impact statement for the project in response to the second remand by the Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit in August 2024. In the August 2024 order, the court vacated FERC’s authorization issued April 2023 because the Commission had not issued a supplemental environmental impact statement.
In March 2025 the court modified its August 2024 order and issued a remand without vacatur.
“The Commission affirms its earlier determinations that the Texas LNG Project is not inconsistent with the public interest”, stated the reauthorization order, published on FERC’s website. “All directives in the Commission’s prior orders remain in effect”.
Texas LNG holds a Department of Energy (DOE) approval to export up to 204.4 billion cubic feet a year of natural gas equivalent to both FTA and non-FTA countries on a non-additive basis. The project obtained DOE authorization in September 2015 for the portion for countries with a free trade agreement (FTA) with the U.S. and February 2020 for the non-FTA portion.
The project will consist of a new LNG terminal on the north side of the Brownsville Ship Channel, 2.5 miles southwest of the Town of Port Isabel and 19 miles northeast of the City of Brownsville, according to the project proposal to FERC. It is designed to have two liquefaction trains. Feed gas would be delivered via a planned third-party pipeline.
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Turkey: Eni signs long-term LNG sale agreement with BOTAS
Eni has entered a long-term LNG sale agreement with BOTAS, in line with the company’s strategy to grow a diversified global portfolio and secure stable, multi-year relationships in key international markets. Under the transaction Eni has agreed to supply BOTAS approximately 0.4 million tpy of LNG for 10 years starting from 2028. This contract follows a three-year deal signed by the two corporations in September 2025, for the supply of approximately 0.4 million tpy of LNG starting in November 2025.
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The agreement is Eni’s first long-term LNG sale to Türkiye.
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Australia: Chevron’s Gorgon LNG project secures $2 billion investment nod
PERTH (Reuters) – The Australian unit of U.S. oil giant Chevron (CVX.N), said on Friday that the partners of the Gorgon Joint Venture have approved the A$3 billion ($1.98 billion) Gorgon Stage 3 development off Western Australia’s northwest coast. The development will be used as backfill for the existing LNG export concern and will link the offshore Geryon and Eurytion natural gas fields to Gorgon’s existing infrastructure on Barrow Island.
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Chevron said in Gorgon Stage 3, six wells will be drilled across two fields, part of a series of planned subsea tiebacks.
The project proposal was accepted in November by the offshore environmental regulator after being submitted for public comment by Chevron in August 2024.
The Chevron-operated Gorgon Project is a joint venture among the Australian units of Chevron, Exxon Mobil (XOM.N), and Shell (SHEL.L), which collectively own roughly 97.3%, with Japan’s Osaka Gas (9532.T), JERA and U.S.-based firm MidOcean holding the remaining stake.
In addition to LNG exports it will enable the long-term supply of domestic gas for Western Australia households and industry, Chevron Australia president Balaji Krishnamurthy said.
The state has a mandated 15% reservation policy for domestic use for all LNG projects.
Gorgon has the capacity to produce 300 terajoules per day of gas for the Western Australia market and 15.6 million tons of LNG per year, said Chevron Australia.
Chevron will drill a maximum of 40 wells across seven fields with a notional field life extending to 2070, according to documents filed with the regulator.
Last week, Shell’s plans for drilling at the Crux field, also offshore northern Australia, were accepted by the regulator. Crux’s gas will be sent as backfill to the Prelude floating LNG vessel.
In southern Australia, U.S. oil company ConocoPhillips (COP.N), has just finished its first exploration well in the region and will now move to a nearby location for a second well.
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Squadron Energy chooses Reganosa to operate and maintain new LNG terminal in Australia
After an international selection process, Reganosa Servicios has been chosen by Squadron Energy, Australia’s leading renewable energy company, to operate and maintain the onshore part of the Port Kembla Energy Terminal, in the Australian state of New South Wales. The contract, the Spanish multinational’s first in Oceania, will have an initial duration of five years with an option for Squadron Energy to extend for a further three years.
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The plant, considered a top-tier model in FSRUs, will be connected to the transmission network to cover up to 70% of eastern gas market demand and meet consumption peaks.
The FSRU can store 170 000 m3 of LNG and the terminal has a regasification capacity of 130 Pj/y, equivalent to a maximum of 3.61 billion m3/y. The aim of this strategic infrastructure is to support domestic gas supply, strengthen security of supply, and support the country’s energy transition.
The project entrusted to Reganosa Servicios by Squadron Energy involves the comprehensive management of the complex’s onshore facilities: measuring sta-tion, control room, auxiliary systems and equipment associated with docking and gas transfer. The terminal is connected by a 12-km, 18-in. diameter gas pipeline.
This appointment firms up the Port Kembla regasification terminal as the best solution to the looming gas shortage on Australia’s east coast.
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LNG as a Marine Fuel/Shipping
Japan: Osaka Gas Strikes Agreement With Archaea Energy to Ship RNG From U.S. to Japan
844 MMBtu: A U.S. subsidiary of Osaka Gas Co. Ltd. plans to export renewable natural gas (RNG) from the United States to Japan after inking an agreement with Archaea Energy Inc. Osaka Gas will source roughly 844 MMBtu over an unspecified period from Archaea’s landfill gas processing facilities for liquefaction at Freeport LNG. Osaka Gas had targeted procurement of RNG as a part of its strategy for carbon neutrality by 2050.
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0.4 Mt/y: Eni SpA has signed an LNG supply deal with BOTAŞ as Turkey looks to grow its influence as an import hub. Eni will supply BOTAŞ up to 0.4 million tons/year (Mt/y) for 10 years starting from 2028. The parties previously signed a three-year deal in September for an additional 0.4 Mt/y that commenced last month. Eni has targeted becoming a major LNG export player by 2030 with a portfolio of around 20 Mt/y from Africa, Indonesia and the United States.
882 MMcf/d: Natural gas nominations to LNG Canada reached an all time high in October and could be climbing. The British Columbia Energy Regulator reported feed gas flows to the facility in Kitimat averaged 882 MMcf/d in October. RBN estimated that average gas intake could have averaged 900 MMcf/d in November. LNG Canada’s feed gas demand and export levels have risen after maintenance wrapped up and a second train began commissioning in October.
140,000 boe/d: Equinor AS and Shell plc have finalized a combination deal to create the largest oil and gas producer in the UK’s North Sea. The new joint venture, Adura Group Ltd., launched on Dec. 1. Adura, owned in a split partnership between the two firms, is estimated to have a production rate of 140,000 barrels of oil equivalent/day (boe/d).
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Congo: Eni launches the Phase 2 of Congo LNG ahead of schedule
With the arrival of the Nguya FLNG floating liquefaction unit and the introduction of gas into the new offshore infrastructure system, Eni has announced the start-up – ahead of the planned schedule – of Phase 2 of the Congo LNG project, with the goal of exporting the first LNG cargo in early 2026.
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Congo LNG Phase 2 features three production platforms as well as the Scarabeo 5 unit dedicated to gas treatment and compression and the Nguya FLNG for liquefaction and export, bringing the overall project’s capacity to 3 million tpy, equivalent to 4.5 billion m3/y.
This integrated configuration enables the full development of gas resources from the offshore Nené and Litchendjili fields, in the Marine XII license, and ensures flexible, phased management of volumes, guaranteeing a steady flow to both the Tango FLNG unit, operational since late 2023, and the Nguya FLNG.
Phase 2 has come on stream ahead of the project schedule, just 35 months after construction of the Nguya FLNG began, setting a new benchmark within the industry for execution speed and efficiency.
This milestone was achieved thanks to a combination of technological innovation, rigorous industrial planning, and strong engagement with local stakeholders. A significant part of the project was carried out entirely in Congo, enhancing the skills of the local workforce and further strengthening the national industrial sec-tor.
The Nguya FLNG, 376 m long and 60 m wide, employs advanced technologies to reduce its carbon footprint and is designed to process gas with different compositions, supporting the potential development of additional fields in the area. The Scarabeo 5, converted from a drilling rig into a gas treatment, separation, and compression unit, also incorporates decarbonisation-oriented solutions, serving as a concrete example of circular economy and industrial reuse.
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China: PetroChina takes bullish view on LNG shipping as it sees a tighter market starting in 2028
But others see rate volatility as a reason to hold on to their own fleet. Gas buyer and shipowner PetroChina International is growing out its LNG shipping business in parallel with its trading operation and sees an improved market for tonnage starting in 2028.
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In a panel session at the World LNG Summit & Awards in Istanbul, moderator Omega Oil and Gas chairman Martin Houston asked his lineup for their views on LNG shipping.
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WinGD and OPearl LNG Ship Management sign 15-year service deal for fleet reliability
WinGD has signed a long-term service agreement (LTSA) with Hong Kong-based OPearl LNG Ship Management, which manages a fleet of LNG carriers. The 15-year LTSA covers 14 vessels and will ensure optimal engine performance, reliability, and efficiency as OPearl continues to meet the increasing demands of global LNG markets.
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The agreement, from Global Service by WinGD, covers spare parts, field services, technical support, performance monitoring, maintenance planning, and crew training for OPearl’s four 6X72DF-2.2 and 10 5X72DF-2.1 engines.
“With a decade of providing innovative engine solutions and warranty support for LNG carriers, WinGD understands the global LNG market relies on prompt deliveries,” said Rudi Holbecker, Director of Global Service at WinGD. “Meeting tight delivery schedules requires vessels that operate with maximum uptime and minimum disruption. This agreement gives OPearl the confidence that their engines will deliver consistent, worry-free performance, voyage after voyage.”
Captain. Nomura, General Manager of OPearl, which was founded in December 2023 by China Merchant LNG, NYK LINE, and CNOOC, added: “Whether it’s sustainability or energy security, demand for LNG is rising and our customers depend on us to deliver safely, reliably and promptly time after time. This long-term agreement with WinGD provides our fleet operational reliability, efficiency and sustainability profile to meet our targets, both today and in the future.”
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Technological Development for Cleaner and Greener Environment Hydrogen & Bio-Methane
South Pole And UNIDO To Scale Carbon Finance For Low-Carbon Hydrogen
South Pole and the United Nations Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO) have signed a Joint Declaration to collaborate on accelerating industrial decarbonization through carbon-financed low-carbon hydrogen. Announced in Singapore, the partnership aims to expand the role of high-integrity carbon markets in supporting hydrogen deployment, particularly in emerging and developing economies.
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The agreement will be implemented through South Pole’s Asian Centre for Carbon Excellence (ACCE), where both organizations will work across methodology development, policy advocacy, market building, and hands-on project support.
The collaboration rests on three core objectives: advancing low-carbon hydrogen solutions in industry, shaping carbon markets as a viable investment mechanism, and developing projects under Article 6 and other emerging market systems.
Building the Frameworks for High-Integrity Hydrogen Credit Generation
A major focus of the partnership is developing the enabling environments needed for low-carbon hydrogen to scale. That includes designing fit-for-purpose methodologies and carbon finance frameworks aligned with leading standards and global best practice.
These frameworks would quantify and monetize emission reductions from hydrogen projects, an area still lacking robust, widely accepted approaches.
South Pole and UNIDO also plan to promote the integration of hydrogen technologies into global carbon markets, while delivering capacity-building, training, and research. By strengthening understanding among governments and project developers, the partners aim to unlock new revenue streams that can help derisk capital-intensive hydrogen investments.
The collaboration is anchored in a shared recognition of hydrogen’s decarbonization potential. Low-carbon hydrogen, whether produced via renewables, CCUS-enabled systems, or other low-emission pathways, can replace fossil fuels across multiple sectors.
But without additional incentives, such solutions remain more expensive than conventional hydrogen production. Carbon finance could provide the economic bridge needed to close this competitiveness gap.
“This collaboration brings together UNIDO’s deep industrial expertise and South Pole’s global carbon market leadership,” said Frederic Gagnon-Lebrun, Global Senior Director for Policy & Strategy at South Pole. UNIDO’s Petra Schwager added that high-integrity carbon markets “can provide an additional revenue stream for capital-intensive hydrogen projects with long payback periods.”
By aligning industrial decarbonization, carbon market integrity, and new market mechanisms like Article 6, the partnership aims to advance real-world hydrogen deployment and support global net-zero pathways.
https://carbonherald.com/south-pole-and-unido-to-scale-carbon-finance-for-low-carbon-hydrogen/
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Norway and Latvia Sign MoU to Develop Green Hydrogen Production Facility in Liepāja
On 1 December, at the Embassy of the Kingdom of Norway, in the presence of the Minister for Climate and Energy Kristaps Melnis, representatives of the Ministry of Economics, the Prime Minister’s advisor, and officials of the Liepaja municipality, a Memorandum of Understanding was ceremonially signed between the hydrogen producer and terminal operator CIS Liepaja Ltd. and the wind energy producer Vindr Latvia Ltd. Its aim is to explore long-term renewable energy supply possibilities through the national electricity grid for the new green hydrogen production facility in Liepaja. It appears to be an important step towards one of Northern Europe’s largest and most advanced green hydrogen initiatives –creation of a renewable energy complex and green hydrogen plant in the Liepaja Special Economic Zone territory.
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A long-term agreement between an electricity producer and a buyer for the supply of green energy over a specified period and at a pre-agreed price would provide stable and predictable energy deliveries to the buyer. At the same time, it would allow the producer to ensure long-term returns on investments in renewable energy projects and provide significant support for renewable energy development, strengthening Latvia’s energy independence and helping companies achieve decarbonization goals.
As previously reported, CIS Liepaja Ltd., which brings together Norwegian and Latvian companies, plans by 2030 to build one of the largest and most advanced green hydrogen production facilities of the Northern Europe in the Liepaja Special Economic Zone, investing more than EUR 550 million and creating at least 100 new jobs. The plant is expected to produce around 150,000 tons of green hydrogen annually. A significant share of this will be exported to Germany and other EU Member States, supporting Europe’s transition to a carbon-neutral economy. CIS Liepaja aims to attract more than EUR 1.2 billion in EU investment, while projected revenues upon full project development will exceed EUR 600 million per year.
“Green hydrogen is not just an energy carrier – it is becoming one of the cornerstones of the green transition. Global interest in renewable resources is growing, and this opens opportunities for Latvia to play an important role in the future clean-energy economy. In projects of this scale, close cooperation among all participating parties is crucial. We greatly appreciate both local and national support for the implementation of this project. Predictable regulations, stable governance, access to renewable resources and proximity to continental European markets, combined with an industrial strategy for the use of green hydrogen, create an attractive environment to develop one of Europe’s most competitive and sustainable hydrogen sectors here,” emphasizes Tor Arne Pedersen, CEO and Board Member of CIS Liepaja.
“Vindr is proud to support Latvia’s transition to clean, locally produced electricity. Our wind parks in Kurzeme and Latgale will provide reliable, certified renewable energy, create new jobs, and promote regional economic development, while strengthening energy security and reducing import dependence. We are currently developing a renewable energy project portfolio of 900 MW in Latvia, and this is the first agreement in the country providing for a 150 MW supply for green hydrogen production. Through long-term cooperation with CIS Liepaja, we are helping to develop new industries, such as hydrogen production, and contribute to a stronger, greener, and more competitive Latvia. Together, we are transforming renewable energy into a driving force for sustainable growth and prosperity,” says Jan-Olav Øderud, CEO and co-founder of Vindr.
“The green transition is a crucial global challenge, and green hydrogen plays a key role in it. Norway is proud to be one of Europe’s leaders in green hydrogen production, and projects like the cooperation between CIS Liepaja and Vindr in Liepaja vividly demonstrate the strong partnership between Latvia and Norway. This is a remarkable joint project between both countries, full of energy and potential to promote innovation, sustainability, and economic growth across the region,” says Ine Måreng, Ambassador of Norway to Latvia.
New technologies, closely linked with renewable energy resources, open unprecedented opportunities for the growth of Latvia’s economy, strengthening international competitiveness and independence. The green hydrogen plant will establish Liepāja as a strong partner and an important hub on Europe’s economic map.
“Energy independence and energy security are important strategic priorities for our government. It is essential to develop energy production projects with reliable partners committed to operating in Latvia for decades. We value energy independence and affordable energy for residents and businesses, which is why we support the joint project of CIS Liepaja and Vindr,” adds Kaspars Melnis, Minister for Climate and Energy.
Liepaja was chosen as the location for the green hydrogen plant after evaluating the advantages offered by the port, recommendations from the Norwegian Embassy in Latvia, and the high-quality business environment. Liepāja offers a unique combination of advantages: stable infrastructure, access to renewable electricity, fresh water, and industrial land, and a political climate supportive of sustainable industry.
“We are pleased that this project is being implemented in Liepaja – a city that is rapidly developing and moving towards its ambitious goal of becoming climate-neutral by 2030. We have been working together on this project for several years and much has been accomplished. The signing of the Memorandum of Understanding is a significant step toward project implementation,” says Uldis Hmieļevskis, Member of the Liepaja City Council and CEO of the Liepaja Special Economic Zone.
About the Memorandum Signatories
CIS Liepaja Ltd., which brings together Norwegian and Latvian companies, is a member of the Norwegian Latvian Chamber of Commerce and the German Latvian Chamber of Commerce. Its goal is to facilitate the supply of CO₂-neutral energy to the EU internal market, including Latvia. The CIS Liepaja hydrogen production project in the Liepaja Special Economic Zone has been recognized as a nationally significant strategic investment project.
Vindr was founded in 2019 with the aim of developing wind energy projects in Norway and Sweden and becoming a leading renewable energy producer in Northern Europe. Since then, it has expanded its operations across the Nordic and Baltic regions. Vindr Latvia Ltd. is developing a more than 900 MW onshore wind energy project portfolio, focusing on long-term cooperation projects and bringing international experience and financing to them.
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EU Greenlights Snam’s Hydrogen Pipeline and CCS Projects for Potential Funding
The European Commission on Monday reaffirmed its commitment to two major cross-border energy initiatives championed by Italian gas grid operator Snam, including them in its updated priority list and making them eligible for crucial European Union funding.
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The inclusion of the projects, which include hydrogen pipelines and Carbon capture & storage (CCS), on the EU’s list of Projects of Common Interest (PCI) and Projects of Mutual Interest (PMI) secures their access to benefits such as fast-track authorization processes and potential EU financial backing.
Snam’s projects had previously been placed on the 2023 list, and their current designation is expected to solidify their place in Snam’s upcoming industrial plan, set for presentation early next year.
Snam-backed initiatives are among 235 projects on the comprehensive EU list designed to strengthen the continent’s energy security and green transition goals, with the most ambitious being the SoutH2 Corridor.
SoutH2 Corridor is a massive hydrogen pipeline network designed to connect energy supplies from Algeria to Italy, Austria,and Germany. This infrastructure is a key component of Europe’s strategy to transport renewable hydrogen across member states.
With carbon capture and storage technology seen by the EU as vital for decarbonizing heavy industries that are difficult to electrify, the second project involves the Callisto initiative, which focuses on developing offshore carbon dioxide storage sites near the Italian city of Ravenna.
Snam stands to gain significantly from the EU’s endorsement, accelerating the development of these strategic assets essential for both Italy’s and the wider bloc’s energy future.
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Canada: Tokyo Gas and Teralta Partner to Advance ‘Green’ Hydrogen-Based E-Methane Project Development in Canada
Tokyo Gas Co., Ltd. (CEO: Shinichi Sasayama; hereinafter “Tokyo Gas”) has entered into an agreement with Teralta Hydrogen Solutions Inc. (“Teralta”), a Canadian leader in scalable e-NG production, to advance development of e-NG (electric natural gas, widely referred to in Japan as e-methane) projects starting in Canada. Based on this agreement, Tokyo Gas and Teralta will proceed with joint efforts to produce e-NG for export to Japan.
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Teralta is advancing multiple e-NG project opportunities across North America, including an e-NG project in Brandon, Manitoba, Canada, which utilizes by-product green hydrogen derived from hydroelectric power and CO₂ from existing industrial sources. The e-NG from this project is estimated to be ready for export to Japan by around FY2030.
The partnership with Teralta helps Tokyo Gas make progress towards its target of replacing volumes equivalent to 1% of its city-gas sales with e-NG and biomethane (renewable natural gas, “RNG”) by 2030, and more than ten times that amount by FY2040. Through collaborations with a wide range of partners in Japan and overseas, Tokyo Gas will contribute to the Japanese government’s goal of carbon neutrality by 2050.
Message from Simon Pickup, CEO, Teralta Hydrogen Solutions Inc.
“We are excited to partner with Tokyo Gas to deliver cost-competitive e-NG. At the core of our model is Teralta’s innovative TERAscale process—born from deep operational experience and targeted refinements to proven technologies—which enables superior hydrogen output at materially lower cost. Combined with our ability to leverage existing infrastructure, this creates a faster, more capital-efficient pathway to supply Japan with reliable, low-carbon e-NG.”
Message from Kentaro Kimoto, Representative Corporate Executive Officer, Vice President, CTO, Tokyo Gas Co., Ltd.
“We are pleased to announce that we have reached an agreement with Teralta on the e-NG project in Canada, which utilizes by-product green hydrogen, to jointly drive this project forward. Through this initiative, we will make steady progress toward both realizing a carbon-neutral society and ensuring a stable energy supply, which are core objectives of our company.”
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