India’s January LNG imports rise

Imports of liquefied natural gas (LNG) into India rose during the first month of the year when compared to the corresponding month last year. 

Data from the oil ministry’s Petroleum Planning and Analysis Cell (PPAC) shows that 2.79 billion cubic meters of LNG have been imported into India during the month under review 25.1 percent higher compared to January 2019.

PPAC noted that the cumulative imports for the period of April 2019 to January 2020 reached 27.43 billion cubic meters, 12 percent higher when compared to the corresponding period last year.

The cost of LNG imports for the month of January 2020 remained flat at $0.8 billion while the cost of LNG imports over April 2019-January 2020 period reached $27.43 billion, up 12.9 percent from $24.3 billion reported in the corresponding period over 2018-19.

Ministry’s data shows that Petronet LNG’s Dahej terminal once again operated above full capacity utilization. Namely, the terminal operated at 105.7 percent capacity utilization during the fiscal year so far with the Hazira LNG terminal operating at 94.6 percent capacity utilization.

Dabhol LNG terminal operated at 17 percent capacity while Kochi and Ennore LNG terminals operated at 15.7 and 7 percent utilization capacity, respectively.