IOC's Ennore LNG terminal to go on stream in 2016-17

Indian Oil Corporation’s liquefied natural gas (LNG) terminal project in Ennore, near Chennai, is expected to be ready by 2016-17.  The company had originally planned to commence the five-million tonnes per annum LNG-based import, storage and regasification terminal in 2015.
 
According to company’s annual report 2014-15, it was stated, the Rs 4,500-crore Ennore LNG terminal project on 132 acres has been delayed and is now being targeted for completion in 2016-17. The project is crucial to IOC as it has planned to have a significant share in the country’s gas infrastructure through participation in upcoming gas pipelines (in joint ventures).
 
“Steps have been initiated to have a significant share in the country’s gas infrastructure through participation in the upcoming gas pipelines (in JVs), and the planned import storage and degasification terminal of five mmtpa LNG with a provision for future expansion to 10 mmtpa at Ennore near Chennai,” according to the annual report.
 
IOC said it was in talks with three foreign companies for the LNG terminal project.
 
The project would mainly cater to industrial needs and household purpose in Tamil Nadu besides reaching out to customers in Bengaluru and Andhra Pradesh.