A natural gas pipeline
connecting the Greenfield 5 million metric tonnes per annum (MMTPA) LNG
regasification terminal at Chhara in the Gir-Somnath district with the gas grid
was commissioned on 20-March-2025.
The pipeline having
capacity of 18 million standard cubic meters per day was developed by Gujarat
State Petronet Limited (GSPL) at a cost of approximately Rs. 650 crores. The
pipeline passes from the outskirts of eco-sensitive zone of the Gir National
Park & Wildlife Sanctuary, home to Asiatic lions.
The work for engineering,
procurement and construction of the 36” dia pipeline from HPCL LNG terminal at
Chhara in Gir-Somnath district upto Lothpur in Amreli district of Gujarat,
including despatch terminal at Chhara LNG terminal, valve stations and
receiving terminal at Lothpur, was entrusted to the Mumbai-based construction
company, Ace Pipeline Contracts Private Limited (Ace Pipeline) in September
2023. To cut down on the construction schedule, construction techniques such as
automatic welding for welding of the 36” dia pipeline were deployed on the
project.
The HPCL LNG terminal at
Chhara in Gir Somnath has a capacity for regasification of 5 MMPTA LNG. This
terminal is operated by HPCL LNG Limited, a subsidiary of state-run Hindustan
Petroleum Corporation Limited (HPCL).
This project enhances the
country’s availability of natural gas for use as an energy source in line with
the Government of India’s target to raise the share of natural gas in the
energy mix to 15% by 2030.
