ONGC's helium unit to go onstream soon

Oil and Natural Gas Corporation's (ONGC) prototype helium plant in Kutralam, a tourist attraction in southern Tamil Nadu, will take off in a month, according to a senior official associated with the project.

The plant, the first of its kind in India, will extract helium from natural gas in Kutralam. Investment for the project would be around Rs 200-250 crore, the official told the Business Standard.

GAS & BEYOND

The company has invested an estimated Rs 250 cr for the project

Kutralam oilfields could generate helium gas at the rate 30,00 Nm3 per hour

"It will be on a pilot basis to begin with. Once the plant starts regular production, India can produce helium for its nuclear plants. We are presently importing helium from countries like the United States," he said.

Helium is also used as a coolant in space technology and atomic energy sciences.

The Ministry of Science and Technology had set up a special task force in early 2005 to identify India's helium reserves.

The task force subsequently asked ONGC and other expert bodies to explore the oilfield "geysers" for helium and the possibility of setting up a prototype plant.

Kutralam was identified as a potential location for the plant. Scientists estimate that the Kutralam oilfields could generate helium gas at the rate 30,00 Nm3 per hour, an official said.

According to government data, India requires about 10,000 normal cubic metre (Nm3) of helium every month for various technological and defence applications.

"If the US decides to cut down on its helium supplies, the country will be in difficult situation.Hence, India has been making serious efforts to become self-sufficient," sources added.