LNG terminal Phase II may be delayed

Phase II of the Petronet LNG terminal at Puthuvype near Kochi is likely to face delay in commissioning due to the time lag in laying the pipeline in Kochi-Bangalore and Kochi-Mangalore.

After retrospection, Petronet has now decided to adopt cautious approach in bringing in LNG from overseas suppliers as marketing and distribution remain a major concern. 

According to AK Balyan, managing director of Petronet, the opposition from Tamil Nadu for land acquisition would be sorted out soon as  GAIL officials were in contact  with the government there. Once cleared, it would take 6-7 months to fix the pipelines. GAIL is laying the terminal pipeline from Kochi to Kootanad in Palakkad district, and thereon to Bangalore and Mangalore.  

Addressing a press conference here today, Balyan said the slow pace of work would hit the capacity utlilisation of the terminal. The terminal's Phase I capacity utilisation will be only  8-10 per cent.