Submits EOI for Mallavaram-Vijaipur-Bhilwara pipeline.
Gujarat State Petroleum Limited (GSPL), a subsidiary of Gujarat State Petroleum Corporation, is aiming to expand its reach beyond Gujarat. The company has submitted expression of interests (EOIs) for four inter-state pipeline projects covering about 5,700 kms.
After aiming for ambitious pipeline projects from Mehsana to Bhatinda (1,670 km) and from Bhatinda to Srinagar via Jammu (740 km), GSPL has recently submitted expression of interest (EOI) to Petroleum and Natural Gas Regulatory Board (PNGRB) for laying down 1,585 km long pipeline from Mallavaram to Bhilwara via Vijaipur.
To set up a distribution network in Andhra Pradesh, GSPL formed the Krishna Godavari Gas Network (KGGNL), a joint venture (JV) with the Andhra Pradesh government, INCAP and IDFC PE, sources said.
“The bids for the four projects are likely to open in February. The estimated investments for all the four pipeline projects could be about Rs 20,000-25,000 crore. We aim to have our network spread across the country,” said a senior government official close to the development. He however, expressed fears that the recent Delhi high court ruling that PNGRB had no powers to grant gas licenses, may affect the bidding.
GSPL is also is also in race for 1,680 km Surat-Paradip pipeline project.
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Bid-cum-application forms for the Mehsana-Bhatinda pipeline have been purchased by 6 companies including GAIL, GSPL, Larsen & Toubro (L&T), Engineers India, Essar Projects and Nagarjuna Constructions, industry sources said.
For the Bhatinda to Jammu and Srinagar section, 3 companies have purchased the bid documents namely GAIL, L&T and GSPL, sources added.
The company will get dedicated supply of gas through GSPC which has made significant discovery in Krishna Godavari basin. GSPC is also looking at an LNG project at Mundra.
GSPL has stake in two other city gas distribution companies - GSPC Gas and Sabarmati Gas. Sabarmati Gas, a JV between BPCL and GSPC, was incorporated in June 2006 to set up the CGD project in Mehsana, Gandhinagar and Himmatnagar.
The entity has a development plan entailing a capex of about Rs 400 crore. GSPC Gas has also commenced operations in smaller towns such as Vapi, Valsad and Navsari. Combined throughput of these two companies is around 1.5 mmscmd, sources said.