India's GSPC to Commission Mundra Terminal Soon: Report

India’s Gujarat State Petroleum (GSPC) is expected to commission a 5 million metric tons/yr LNG import terminal in the state of Gujarat in next couple of months, Press Trust of India reported July 8.

"We will commission Mundra terminal by August-end or mid-September. It will operate at 1.5mn mt/yr capacity for first 1.5 years before scaling up to full capacity," GSPC managing director Jagdip Narayan Singh said July 8.

Mundra terminal will the third LNG import terminal in Gujarat. The western Indian state already has two operational terminals, one operated by Petronet LNG and the other by Shell. GSPC LNG, a unit of Gujarat state government-owned GSPC, is developing the Mundra terminal in joint venture with Adani Enterprises. Press Trust of India reported that GSPC is looking to rope in a strategic partner once the terminal is operational.  "We have been in talks with Indian Oil, but as the partnership was delayed, we have now decided to first commission the terminal and then see who we can get as a partner," said Singh.

India’s LNG imports have been rising as government is promoting usage of natural gas to combat air pollution plaguing Indian cities. With rising imports both private and public-sector firms are developing new terminal on both west and east coasts. In addition to GSPC’s Mundra terminal, Mumbai-based H-Energy is also expected to commission its floating terminal later this year.