Petronet LNG Limited (PLL) is expecting to double its capacity utilisation to 40-45 per cent from the current 20 per cent with the completion of gas pipelines to Mangaluru from its Kochi terminal. The 444-km long Kochi Mangaluru gas pipeline is expected to be completed soon by the GAIL (India) Limited. Commissioned in 2013, the Rs 47-billion LNG terminal in Kochi has a capacity of 5 million tonnes per annum (mtpa). In 2019-20, it operated at 20 per cent capacity and achieved sales of 1 mtpa.
According to PLL, the Mangalore Chemicals and Fertilisers has expressed interest in availing gas from Kochi terminal after the completion of pipeline connectivity. Besides, companies such as Mangalore Refinery and Petrochemicals Limited and ONGC Mangalore Petrochemicals Limited are also expected utilise the pipeline to meet their gas requirements. The sales of gas will be handled by GAIL (India) Limited, which is heading the marketing business.
Currently,PLL is also engaged in the supply of gas by road to public sector undertakings in Kerala such as Kerala Minerals and Metals Limited as well as for city gas distribution network. It has recently entered into a contract with Saint Gobain in Chennai for the supply of 1,500 tonnes of gas until December 2020.