Oil and Natural Gas Corporation (ONGC) and Indian Oil Corporation Ltd (IOCL) signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) to establish a small liquefied natural gas (LNG) plant near the Hatta gas field in the Vindhyan basin, Madhya Pradesh. India’s sedimentary basins, covering 3.4 million square kilometers, are classified into three categories.
Category-I sites are those already engaged in hydrocarbon extraction, while Ccategory-II sites possess resources, but have yet to commence commercial production. Category-III sites have potential resources awaiting discovery.
The new plant will employ advanced technology to produce LNG, which serves as a cleaner alternative to traditional fossil fuels, significantly reducing carbon emissions and supporting India’s climate change mitigation efforts.
The discovery at Hatta marks the success of fifty years of persistent exploration. ONGC has submitted its field development plan (FDP) to the Directorate General of Hydrocarbons (DGH) to capitalize on its assets in the Hatta region.
As reported by msn.com, the initiatives aim to boost India’s LNG production and eventually decrease reliance on imports. In FY24, India imported LNG worth $13.40 billion. In the current fiscal year (April 2024-May 2025), LNG imports stand at $2.2 billion, compared to $3.2 billion during the same period last year.
