Assam Gas submits expression of interest for 750-km Barauni-Guwahati natural gas pipeline

A 750-km proposed natural gas pipeline will link the Northeast with the national grid to meet increasing fuel needs of households and factories in the region, as part of the Modi government’s plan to expand gas availability and double the gas pipeline network in the next few years.

Assam Gas, a state government enterprise, has submitted an expression of interest to the Petroleum and Natural Gas Regulatory Board (PNGRB), the downstream regulator, to lay, build and operate the pipeline from Barauni in Bihar to Guwahati via Bongaigaon.

It has also proposed to build spur lines to link both the banks of the river Brahmaputra to connect with Arunachal Pradesh and Nagaland. Another spur line is proposed to connect to Tripura through Meghalaya and Barak Valley.

PNGRB has now begun a consultation process and sought views from all stakeholders on the proposed pipeline. The demand for natural gas in its operational area far exceeds the existing supply, Assam Gas said in its proposal, highlighting that it had identified an additional demand of at least 13 million metric standard cubic meters per day (mmscmd) in Assam. The company currently handles about 5.5 mmscmd of natural gas.

“If gas is made available, the demand will increase as new potential consumers are setting up units as part of the government of Assam’s efforts to stimulate industrial growth. As there has been no significant new gas finds in the north-eastern region, it is necessary to bring in gas from outside the region,” the company said.

The proposed pipelines of Assam Gas, GAIL and other companies are expected to significantly enhance the country’s gas pipeline network. The government aims to double the gas pipeline network to 30,000 km in the next few years.