India’s February LNG imports soar

Imports of liquefied natural gas (LNG) into India soared during the month of February. 

Data from the oil ministry’s Petroleum Planning and Analysis Cell (PPAC) shows that 3.45 billion cubic meters of LNG have been imported into India during the month under review 67.7 percent up when compared to February 2019.

PPAC noted that the cumulative imports for the period of April 2019 to February 2020 reached 30.81 billion cubic meters, 16.9 percent higher when compared to the corresponding period last year.

The cost of LNG imports for the month of February 2020 edged up to $0.8 billion from $0.7 billion in February 2019, while the cost of imports in the April 2019-February 2020 period reached $8.8 billion, dropping from $9.5 billion reported in the corresponding period last year.

Ministry’s data shows that Petronet LNG’s Dahej terminal continues to operate above full capacity utilization. Namely, the terminal operated at 104.2 percent capacity utilization during the fiscal year so far with the Hazira LNG terminal operating at 98 percent capacity utilization.

Dabhol LNG terminal operated at 22.3 percent capacity while Kochi and Ennore LNG terminals operated at 16.3 and 8.1 percent utilization capacity, respectively.