Increasing Domestic Production to Spur Natural Gas Market in India
Growing environmental concerns and favorable government initiatives to boost natural gas market in India
The demand for natural gas is increasing significantly in India due to various factors such as rising concerns towards carbon emissions coupled with the country’s increasing production and infrastructure development. In India, the major natural gas application areas include power generation, transportation, domestic fuel, and fertilizers. Over the next five years, the demand from these sectors is forecast to remain robust. Benefits such as cost-effectiveness, clean burning and safety in operations as compared to other conventional fuels is driving the demand for natural gas in the country.
Increase in natural gas production by leading companies such as RIL (Reliance India Limited), ONGC (Oil and Natural Gas Corporation) and Cairn India Limited is expected to increase the consumption of natural gas. Natural gas production from unconventional resources and imports in the form of LNG (Liquefied Natural Gas) are also forecast to rise in order to bridge the natural gas demand-supply gap in the country.
According to the recently published report by TechSci Research, “India Natural Gas Market Forecast and Opportunities, 2019”, the country’s natural gas market, in production volume terms, is projected to grow at a CAGR of around 26% during 2014-19. Currently, GAIL (India) Limited is the leading transmission company operating the largest pipeline network in the country. The distribution of natural gas to the end users is being majorly done by City Gas Distribution companies such as Mahanagar Gas Limited (MGL) and Indraprastha Gas Limited (IGL).
The report reveals that the country’s western region has the highest consumption of natural gas, and the region is expected to remain the leader over the forecast period 2014-19. However, southern region is growing with significant pace on account of presence of KG basin and expanding pipeline network. The government is also promoting the usage of natural gas by implementing new pricing mechanism, which would be effective from 1stApril, 2014.
“In India’s natural gas market, power generation accounts for the highest consumption of natural gas, predominantly due to the environmental and economic benefits offered by natural gas in power production. The power generation sector is expected to remain the largest consuming sector due to anticipated commissioning of a number of natural gas power plants in the country over the next five years”, said Mr. Karan Chechi, Research Director with TechSci Research, a research based global management consulting firm.
“India Natural Gas Market Forecast and Opportunities, 2019” has analyzed the potential of the natural gas market and provides statistics and information on market sizes, shares and trends. The report will suffice in providing the intending clients with cutting-edge market intelligence and help them in taking sound investment decisions. Besides, the report also identifies and analyzes the emerging trends along with essential drivers and key challenges faced by the industry.