September 2024, Oil India Limited (OIL), a leading state-owned oil and gas company, and Indra Dhanus Gas Grid Limited (IGGL) have entered into two critical hook-up agreements aimed at significantly advancing the natural gas infrastructure in North-East India. These agreements will facilitate the integration of OIL’s natural gas fields in Upper Assam with the Duliajan Feeder Line of the North-East Gas Grid (NEGG) and enable the evacuation of natural gas from OIL’s Discovered Small Field (DSF) block in Tripura via IGGL’s Agartala-Tulamura natural gas pipeline.

The agreements were formalized during a high-profile event at OIL’s field headquarters in Duliajan, Assam, attended by key executives from both companies, including Dr. Ranjit Rath, Chairman and Managing Director (CMD) of OIL, all functional directors of OIL, and senior officials from both OIL and IGGL. Representing OIL, Anfor Ali Haque, Resident Chief Executive of OIL Duliajan, signed the agreements, while Dr. Ajit Kumar Thakur, CEO of IGGL, signed on behalf of IGGL.

The hook-up agreements represent a pivotal step forward in realizing OIL’s strategic vision of enhancing energy infrastructure across the North-East region. By connecting OIL’s Upper Assam natural gas fields to the NEGG’s Duliajan Feeder Line, OIL aims to ensure the efficient transmission of natural gas to key markets, thereby contributing to the region's economic growth and energy security.

Moreover, the evacuation of natural gas from OIL’s DSF block in Tripura through IGGL’s 12” NB x 86 km Agartala-Tulamura pipeline is a testament to OIL’s commitment to optimizing resource utilization and expanding its gas-based operations. This pipeline will play a crucial role in transporting natural gas to various consumers, including industrial and commercial users, across Tripura and beyond. Dr. Ranjit Rath, CMD of OIL, emphasized the broader implications of these agreements, stating, “This collaboration between OIL and IGGL is not just about connecting pipelines; it’s about connecting the energy future of North-East India with the national vision of a gas-based economy. By leveraging our resources and infrastructure, we are committed to fostering economic development in the region while contributing to India’s overall energy security.”

The partnership between OIL and IGGL underscores the strategic importance of the North-East region in India’s energy landscape. The region, rich in natural gas reserves, is poised to play a key role in meeting the country’s growing energy demands. The successful implementation of these hook-up agreements will not only enhance the availability of natural gas in the region but also support the government’s goal of increasing the share of natural gas in the country’s energy mix to 15% by 2030