UAE Discusses India LNG Project

The United Arab Emirates has reviewed a plan to develop an LNG terminal in the western Indian state of Gujarat in coordination with Swan Energy, according to official Emirates News Agency (WAM).

The matter came up for discussion during crown prince of Abu Dhabi Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan’s recent visit to India. Abu Dhabi National Marine Dredging Company (NMDC) presented its plan and will undertake a contract to develop the terminal, the news agency added.

NMDC announced August 2016 it had signed a $316mn engineering procurement and construction (EPC) contract relating to the planned terminal, including massive dredging, marine infrastructure works, land reclamation, construction of breakwaters, jetties and associated facilities. 

Indian Swan Energy is proposing to develop a 5mn metric ton/yr LNG terminal with ancillary structures for its FSRU project at Jafrabad, Gujarat. After roping in the government of Gujarat in western India as an investor in its proposed floating LNG import terminal, Swan Energy January 17 announced that Tata Realty and Infrastructure has expressed interest in picking up 10% equity in the project. The project is expected to come online in 2019.

ONGC, Indian Oil Corp and Bharat Petroleum Corp have already booked 60% of the capacity. The three India state-owned firms plan to import 1mn mt/yr of their own LNG and pay Swan a tolling fee.

Gujarat already has two of India’s four operational LNG import terminals at Dahej and Hazira.

Shardul Sharma