Why is India pushing piped gas now?, Pg8

Key Highlights:

• India aims to expand Piped Natural Gas (PNG) connections to 12 crore by 2034 to reduce reliance on Liquefied Petroleum Gas (LPG) imports.
• Domestic natural gas production could potentially cater to 30 crore PNG connections.
• The government is streamlining approvals for pipeline expansion to accelerate PNG adoption.
• Current PNG connections have crossed 1.5 crore, with a target to reach 2 crore soon.
• India's gas pipeline network spans approximately 25,000 kilometers, with an additional 10,500 kilometers under construction.

Detailed Insights:

• India's dependence on LPG imports is high, with a significant portion routed through the Strait of Hormuz, making PNG a more secure alternative due to diversified LNG sources.
• While PNG is a suitable replacement for LPG in domestic cooking, industrial users may require equipment adjustments, and lack of awareness could hinder adoption.
• The government is pushing for piping infrastructure in areas near the GAIL pipeline, ensuring competitive PNG pricing to encourage adoption.
• Challenges include uneven pipeline network distribution, with central, southern, and northeastern India remaining largely uncovered, and the need for increased domestic gas production to meet demand.
• A recent government notification mandates households to surrender LPG connections upon obtaining PNG, potentially transitioning roughly 6 million households to PNG within three months.
• To supply 13 crore PNG connections, India needs to increase domestic gas production by at least one-third, with potential contributions from ONGC fields like the KG-DWN 98/2 Block.
• Despite the push for PNG, LPG connections are projected to remain above 20 crore by 2034, necessitating continued LPG imports.

Key Concepts Involved:

• LPG (Liquefied Petroleum Gas): A mix of propane and butane, co-produced during oil refining and natural gas processing, used for cooking and heating.
• PNG (Piped Natural Gas): Natural gas distributed to households and industries through pipelines for cooking, heating, and industrial uses.
• LNG (Liquefied Natural Gas): Natural gas cooled to a liquid state for efficient transportation, reducing its volume by 1,000 times.
• City Gas Distribution (CGD): The network responsible for distributing natural gas to households, commercial establishments, and industries within a city or region.