Exxon, Others to Launch Virtual LNG Pipelines in India
Chart Industries, Inc reported on the 24th February that it has signed a letter of cooperation with ExxonMobil India LNG Limited and Indian Oil Corporation (IOCL) to pioneer virtual gas pipelines in India.
A virtual pipeline delivers liquefied natural gas by road, rails and waterways not linked by physical pipelines, Chart noted in a written statement.
Chart, which designs and manufactures cryogenic equipment, signed the agreement with ExxonMobil and IOCL in the presence of US and Indian dignitaries during President Trump’s state visit to India.
“We believe this collaboration with ExxonMobil, a major LNG supplier with a local presence in India, coupled with our ongoing work with IOCL will accelerate India’s ability to offer a cleaner energy solution within the growing cities and networks,” Chart President and CEO Jill Evanko commented in a written statement.
The three-way letter of agreement follows an early 2019 memorandum of understanding (MoU) which Chart signed with IOCL. Under the MoU, Chart and IOCL agreed to promote the development of India’s LNG market by focusing on:
- Modular liquefaction
- Regasification applications
- LNG bunkering
- Fuelling stations
- Alternative LNG mobile transportation including ISO containers.
Chart pointed out that the newly signed letter of cooperation expands the reach and potential scale of the earlier deal.
“We are excited to offer our cryogenic equipment to support what each party in this collaboration believes will accelerate clean energy progress while doing so with localised equipment manufacturing in India,” concluded Ms Evanko.
The LNG virtual pipeline concept is gaining traction beyond India. In fact, as a recent Rigzone article noted, it is becoming an increasingly attractive option in North America. Edge Gathering Virtual Pipelines 2 LLC is spearheading one such project which will source LNG from stranded gas wells in Tioga County, Pa.
Source: Rigzone