GAIL (India) Limited is investing ₹6 billion (approximately US$63.1 million) to develop a heating unit at its Ratnagiri liquefied natural gas (LNG) terminal in Maharashtra. The facility will support LNG regasification and enable the terminal to operate at its designed capacity of 5 million tonnes per annum (MTPA). R. K. Singhal, Business Development Director at GAIL, shared the investment details with reporters on Wednesday during an industry event. The company expects to complete the heating unit by June 2027.
Heating Unit to Address LNG Terminal Capacity Constraints
The Ratnagiri LNG terminal currently operates at approximately 50% of its designed capacity because the required heating unit is not yet ready, according to Singhal. The proposed investment aims to address this operational constraint by providing the infrastructure needed to process larger volumes of LNG. Once the facility is completed and commissioned, GAIL expects to improve terminal utilisation and move towards its full capacity of 5 MTPA.
How the New Heating Unit Will Support Regasification
LNG is transported and stored in a liquefied state at extremely low temperatures. Before entering gas pipelines for distribution and consumption, it must be warmed and converted back into its gaseous form through a process known as regasification. The planned heating unit will provide the heat required for this process, supporting the terminal’s ability to handle and supply natural gas efficiently. Consequently, the facility will help address the infrastructure limitation currently affecting the terminal’s operations and improve its regasification capabilities.
GAIL Targets Completion by June 2027
GAIL has earmarked ₹6 billion for the heating unit, with completion targeted for June 2027. The project forms part of the company’s efforts to strengthen LNG infrastructure and maximise the utilisation of its existing assets. By completing the required heating facilities, GAIL aims to unlock the Ratnagiri terminal’s designed processing capacity and improve the availability of LNG regasification infrastructure. As reported by indianmasterminds.com, the terminal’s actual operating levels will depend on the timely completion and commissioning of the heating unit, along with other operational requirements.
