India may prioritize gas supply to CGD after Qatar disruption
India is weighing a plan to prioritize natural gas supply to critical sectors after LNG (liquefied natural gas) shipments from Qatar were disrupted following an attack on QatarEnergy’s Ras Laffan liquefaction complex on Monday, three people aware of the matter said.The move assumes significance as India imports about 55% of its natural gas requirement. Further, of the $14.9 billion worth of natural gas imports in FY25, Qatar’s share was about 50%, according to data from Petroleum Planning and Analysis Cell (PPAC).“The government is looking at multiple options to ensure uninterrupted supply of natural gas,” one of the three people mentioned above said on condition of anonymity.
“One of the options is reprioritizing gas allocation across sectors. That will be looked at if need arises.”Such a move would require discussions between different ministries including petroleum and natural gas, power and fertilizers, the first person added.A second person, also requesting anonymity, said: “There would not be any impact on farmers and CGD (city gas distribution) consumers.”According to the officials, if such a move is implemented, gas allocation for CGD networks—which involve piped cooking gas for households and compressed natural gas for transport—may be increased, with supplies diverted from non-priority sectors such as industries and power.
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