Development of Natural Gas and Pipeline Capacity Markets in India

Natural gas has emerged as the most preferred fuel due to its inherent environmentally benign nature, greater efficiency and cost effectiveness. The demand of natural gas has sharply increased in the last two decades at the global level. In India too, the natural gas sector has gained importance, particularly over the last decade, and is being termed as the Fuel of the 21st Century. Out of the total production of around 87 MMSCMD, after internal consumption, extraction of LPG and unavoidable flaring, around 74 MMSCMD is available for sale to various consumers. Domestic production is likely to double by 2012. Natural gas deficit in India is fulfilled by means of imports in the form of LNG and huge potential lies in the form of multiple upcoming transnational pipelines. However pipeline imports seem to be unlikely before 2015. Regulatory reforms in the upstream gas markets since 1994 helped in augmenting domestic production. In next twenty years, under a range of energy scenarios, the gas market can be expected to grow faster than coal and oil. This paper's prime focus shall be on the physical and financial aspects of the Indian gas market. The Indian gas network in terms of infrastructure and layout will be looked into. The financial aspects will cover the raising capital, budgeting and pricing of gas from various sources. In addition to this some light will be thrown on the regulatory regime, transportation market and optimization of pipeline operation. PNGRB guidelines regulate the Indian gas market. For transportation rail, road, water and pipelines are used, but primarily gas transportation in India is carried out by pipelines and major imports are in the form of liquefied natural gas. Use of state of the art technology such as DCS and SCADA have become common practice and has aided in value addition of gas networks in India. India's wholesale gas market and competitive interstate transportation market have shown a steady advancement in the recent past and lucrative opportunities for growth wait in the future