State-run Gujarat State Petroleum Corporation (GSPC) announced it has booked 2.25 million tonne per annum (MTPA) natural gas re-gasification capacity offerd by Petronet LNG Ltd (PLL) at its Dahej terminal in Gujarat.

GSPC has contracted the capacity on firm and long-term basis for 20 years. “GSPC will now be able to tie-up Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG) on a long-term basis in the international markets and serve its customers with an assured supply of gas for a longer tenure,” GSPC Managing Director (MD) Tapan Ray said.

However, experts from the oil and gas industry feel that the move by company would not bring much relief in the present high price situation

City gas distribution major Gujarat Gas Company Ltd (GGCL) has decided to focus on domestic suppliers for procurement of LNG after its supply contract with BG gorup subsidiary, BG India Energy Solutions Private Limited (BGIES) expired last month. GGCL used to source re-gasified LNG (RLNG) from BGIES. After British Gas Group sold its stake in GGCL in October, 2012, the company has decided to give preference to domestic suppliers. GGCL has PNG customer base of over 350,000 in three cities of Surat, Ankleshwar and Bharuch. It also has close to 200,000 CNG consumers.

Petronet LNG, at present, has long-term agreements with foreign companies for supply of LNG for the existing Dahej and Kochi LNG terminals.

Petronet LNG Limited is looking for a strategic foreign partner for implementing its Rs 4,500-crore Gangavaram LNG project in Andhra Pradesh. “We are looking for more supplies to meet the country’s demand. Hence, we are planning to give some equity stake in the upcoming Gangavaram LNG project to a foreign partner who can bring more LNG supplies for Petronet,” A K Balyan, managing director and chief executive officer, told reporters here on Tuesday. The company, at present, has long-term agreements with foreign companies for supply of LNG for the existing Dahej and Kochi LNG terminals.

State-run caustic soda major Gujarat Alkalies and Chemicals Ltd (GACL) has joined hands with National Aluminium Company (Nalco) for setting up 200,000 tonnes per annum (TPA) caustic soda project at Dahej in Gujarat.

"The feasibility report for the proposed project is currently on and is likely to be completed by October-November this year. GACL will have majority stake in the project, which will come up at Dahej in Gujarat," said MS Dagur, managing director, Gujarat Alkalies and Chemicals Ltd, which is the largest caustic soda manufactur