LNG

QatarEnergy has signed an agreement for the supply of 7.5 million tonnes per annum of LNG to Petronet of India on a delivered ex-ship (DES) basis for a period of 20 years.

The decline in Indian liquefied natural gas imports slowed to 1.8 percent from the previous month’s 24 percent fall as cargoes for West Asia were expensive when competing with Europe and South America and as Indian domestic gas demand remained flat.

Indian liquefied natural gas imports dropped by over 7 percent, even more than in the previous month, as the costs of LNG shipments soared and the nation’s supply security was enabled by offshore domestic natural gas pipeline supplies that jumped more than 26 percent.

Indian liquefied natural gas imports declined amid a surge in cargo prices and the fall was offset by higher domestic natural gas production as the nation slowly recovered from the Covid-19 pandemic.

Trelleborg of Sweden, a maker of liquefied natural gas transfer and mooring equipment, has received certification from the Petroleum and Explosives Safety Organization of India as the Asian nation moves to develop more LNG terminals on the East and West Coasts with highest-grade safety standards.

Trelleborg said its marine Quick Release Hook mooring systems received the certificate from the body that sets the rules for equipment containing electrical systems at new or upgraded LNG facilities in the country.

The certification signifies Trelleborg is now the largest accredited docking and mooring equipment manufacturer in the region.

“We set out on a 12-month initiative with our certification agent and support from key supply chain partners, to record technical documentation regarding all electrical systems and enclosures needed to be assessed for hazardous area operation suitability,” said Richard Hepworth, President of Trelleborg’s marine and infrastructure operations.

“As a result, we are delighted that Trelleborg Quick Release Hook mooring systems are now certified for use in the Indian market, and are therefore fully compliant with Indian laws and regulations that govern the operation of LNG facilities,” added Hepworth.

“As the largest accredited docking and mooring equipment manufacturer, customers in the region requiring Quick Release Hooks can be confident that our equipment is certified and meets all safety standards,” he stated.

Hepworth noted that the accreditation means that engineering companies and LNG terminal owners in India can avoid unforeseen budget overruns and schedule delays due to compliance issues.

Safety is paramount across the oil and gas industry with a particular focus in the LNG sector.

Transportation of combustible materials must be managed carefully to avoid the release of gases or vapors into the environment, which can potentially result in explosions, serious injury to personnel and damage to equipment and assets in the surrounding area.

“Trelleborg applies this philosophy at every interface across the LNG transfer chain,” said the company.

“Building on decades of experience in the LNG industry, Trelleborg is an experienced and reliable partner to optimize the business model of any LNG transfer operation and support safe, efficient and cost-effective performance,” it added.

“With standards and guidelines for equipment utilized in port operations developed by industry bodies in many countries and regions, it is vital that operators ensure their terminals meet the highest safety standards anywhere in the world,” Trelleborg declared.

L&T Hydrocarbon Engineering (LTHE) of India, a wholly owned subsidiary of global construction group Larsen & Toubro, has won a contract from the largest Indian LNG importer Petronet to further expand the nation’s biggest regasification facility at Dahej.

Two years after Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurated the first Indian East Coast liquefied natural gas import terminal at Kamarajar Port, also known as Ennore, Qatargas has delivered its first and largest commercial cargo as the terminal seeks to boost its capacity utilisation, currently under 12 percent.

Indian liquefied natural gas monthly imports increased again in August as shipments to Asia gathered pace along with economic activity with September cargoes also pointing at India from Australia and Angola.

Indian Oil Corp., owner of the only liquefied natural gas import terminal on the East Coast of India at Kamarajar Port in Tamil Nadu, has signed an accord with ExxonMobil to cooperate on spreading the reach of natural gas availability in the country.