MEGAPROJECT | Kochi integrated Refineries cum Petrochemicals Complex | LNG Petronet | Megapower Plant

[Malayaali]

GAIL pipeline network gets ready

Gail (India) Ltd., a central public sector undertaking, which is laying the pipeline for natural gas distribution from Vypeen to Kochi and beyond, is hopeful of commissioning the network in the Kochi region soon.

The hurdles in the way of laying the pipeline through the land at the Naval Armament Depot had been sorted out, company officials said.

The work on laying of pipelines to distribute re-gasified liquefied natural gas (RLNG) to 9 industrial units in and around Kochi was also in the final stage. More industrial units were expected to join the customer base in the coming months. The pipeline work was being completed ahead of the arrangements for transmission of gas from the Petronet LNG terminal, expected to be commissioned by the end of the year.

The city gas project, envisaging distribution of piped gas to households, would take off once the Petroleum and Natural Gas Regulatory Board (PNGRB), vested with the authority of initiating region-wise auction procedures, started the process. The project would be of immense relief to LPG customers who were not getting cooking gas in time.

Work was in progress to extend the pipeline network from Kochi to Palakkad as part of the Kochi-Bangalore network.

[Malayaali]

GAIL wants power plant away from LNG terminal

Even as the LNG terminal is nearing completion, the Gas Authority of India Limited (GAIL) authorities are demanding that the power plant being set up adjacent to the terminal be relocated away from the terminal. GAIL is the distributor of LNG to the proposed power plant.

The power station is a joint venture of the state government and Petronet LNG Limited (PLL) at a cost of Rs 2,000 crore.

The government had identified 50 acres of land for the 1250-MW power station using the advantages of the proposed plant’s proximity to the LNG receiving and re-gasification facilities (LNG Terminal).

However, the GAIL authorities are of the opinion that the plant should be relocated somewhere far from the location of the LNG terminal.

According to GAIL, land in possession of FACT Cochin Division is the ideal location for the power plant.

“The land near Puthuvype near the LNG terminal is not suitable for setting up a power plant for various reasons. The main disadvantage is scarcity of water in the area. Due to its geographical feature, there is always a threat of sea erosion. Because of loose sand, a huge amount will have to be spent for foundation work. Whose interest is this to set it up in the congested Puthuvype itself?” asked a senior official of GAIL.

“Considering the availability of land, proximity of consumers, mainly the petrochemical companies and the proposed Smart City, Ambalamugal is the best option. Since the consumers are located nearby, transmission loss can also be reduced to a great extent,” said sources in GAIL.

When contacted FACT authorities said that they have not received any official communication regarding handing over its land for the power plant.

"We will look into the matter and take appropriate action, if there is offical request,"

[Malayaali]

BPCL, LG Chem ink MoU for petrochemical project

After Oman company and UK based LP Chemicals, it's the turn of S.Korea's LG Chem to be in the news.
Electronics major LG's Chemical industry presence was a new information, though.

Bharat Petroleum Corporation Ltd (BPCL) and LG Chem, South Korea, today signed a MoU to establish a petrochemical plant adjacent to BPCL’s Kochi refinery complex at an estimated investment of Rs 4,000-6,000 crore.

BPCL in a release said that it would be investing nearly Rs 14,000 crore over the next five years in expanding its Kochi refinery.

As part of this project, it would be establishing a petrochemical fluid catalytic cracker to generate 500 TMTPA of propylene. This would offer BPCL a launch pad for diversification into petrochemicals.

Completion of the project would be dovetailed into the refinery expansion project.

[Malayaali]

Rs 6,000 crore catalyst for Kerala industry

Bharat Petroleum Corporation Ltd's (BPCL) proposed Rs 6,000 crore joint venture with South Korea's LG Chem will accelerate investment possibilities in the state and stimulate industries in Kerala, especially those in petrochemical-based consumer products.

The new plant will produce four chemicals - superabsorbent polymers, acrylic acid, acrylate, and butanol - using 300,000 tonnes of propylene produced by the Petrochemical Fluid Catalytic Cracker (PFCC) unit of Kochi Refinery.

"The superabsorbent polymer is currently fully imported. It is used for manufacturing sanitary napkins. Once the new plant starts manufacturing it, the country's dependence on foreign markets will be reduced by half,'' said E Nandakumar, former executive director of Kochi Refinery. Acrylic acid is used to manufacture chemicals for water treatment and paper manufacturing. Acrylate is used in the production of paint, ink and adhesives and butanol is used for detergent and plastic manufacturing. "Production of these chemicals will start an industrial chain reaction in the state," sources said.

On Thursday BPCL signed an MoU with LG Chem in Seoul for floating the JV. The plant will be on a 50-acre land adjacent to Kochi Refinery complex. The project is expected to be complete by December 2015. Sources said the project will create 500 to 1,000 direct jobs and up to 4,000 indirect jobs. BPCL, with investment plans to the tune of Rs 14,000 crore over the next five years, is setting up a Petrochemical Fluid Catalytic Cracker unit, as part of its diversification plan into petrochemicals. LG Chem, part of LG Corp, is the biggest chemicals producer of South Korea.

[Malayaali]

Originally Posted by Malayaali

BPCL, LG Chem ink MoU for petrochemical project

കൊച്ചിയിൽ 6000 കോടിയുടെ പെട്രോകെമിക്കൽ കോംപ്ലക്സ്

പെട്രോകെമിക്കൽ വ്യവസായ മേഖലയിൽ വൻ കുതിപ്പിന് വഴിയൊരുക്കി, കൊച്ചി റിഫൈനറിയോടു ചേർന്ന് പെട്രോകെമിക്കൽ കോംപ്ലക്സ് സ്ഥാപിക്കുന്നതിന് ദക്ഷിണ കൊറിയയിലെ എൽജികെമ്മുമായി ബിപിസിഎൽ സംയുക്ത സംരംഭം ആരംഭിക്കുന്നു. ഇതു സംബന്ധിച്ച ധാരണാപത്രം ഇരു കമ്പനികളും കഴിഞ്ഞ ദിവസം ഒപ്പുവച്ചു.

പൊതുമേഖലാ എണ്ണ കമ്പനിയായ ഭാരത് പെട്രോളിയം അമ്പലമേട് റിഫൈനറിയിൽ നടപ്പാക്കുന്ന വികസന പദ്ധതിയോടു ചേർന്നാണ്, 6000 കോടി രൂപയോളം മുതൽമുടക്കിൽ സംയുക്ത സംരംഭം തുടങ്ങുന്നത്.

വികസന പദ്ധതിയുടെ ഭാഗമായി സ്ഥാപിക്കുന്ന പെട്രോകെമിക്കൽ ഫ്ലൂയിഡ് കാറ്റലിറ്റിക് ക്രാക്കറിന് പ്രതിവർഷം അഞ്ച് ലക്ഷം ടൺ പ്രൊപ്ലിൻ ഉൽപാദിപ്പിക്കാൻ ശേഷിയുണ്ട്. ഇത് ഉപയോഗിച്ച് സൂപ്പർ അബ്സോർബന്റ് പോളിമർ, അക്രിലിറ്റ് ആസിഡ്, അക്രിലേറ്റ്, ബുട്ടനോൾ എന്നിവ ഉൽപാദിപ്പിക്കാം. വിവിധ വ്യവസായ സംരംഭങ്ങൾക്ക് സാധ്യതകളും തൊഴിലവസരങ്ങളും ഒരുക്കുന്നതാണ് ഈ ഉൽപന്നങ്ങൾ. ഇറക്കുമതി ഒഴിവാക്കി, വൻതോതിൽ വിദേശ നാണ്യവും നേടാം.

ബിപിസിഎൽ കൊച്ചി റിഫൈനറീസിന്റെ 14225 കോടി രൂപ മുതൽമുടക്കുള്ള ഇന്റഗ്രേറ്റഡ് റിഫൈനറി എക്സ്പാൻഷൻ പ്രോജക്ട് (ഐആർഇപി) കേന്ദ്ര പരിസ്ഥിതി മന്ത്രാലയത്തിന്റെ അനുമതി കാത്തിരിക്കുന്നു.

[passionfruit12]

Playing down the controversies regarding the laying of pipelines by the Gail (India) Ltd in connection with the LNG terminal, Power and Transport Minister Aryadan Mohammed said on Friday that people with vested interest are behind such moves.

“If the LNG terminal does not become fully operational, the state will encounter a huge power crisis,” the minister said. He was speaking at a press conference in connection with a function organised by the Indian Chamber of Commerce and Industry (ICCI) at Mattanchery to discuss the issues related to power and transport faced by the residents of West Kochi.

“The state government is paying `10.45 for a unit of power from the National Thermal Power Corporation (NTPC) plant at Kayamkulam. When the LNG terminal becomes fully operational, it will be reduced to `5 or lesser,” the minister said. He said that the total power requirement of the state now is 3400 Mega Watt. The total cost for purchasing power was `5500 crore last year.

“The total power requirement of the state will be 6000 MegaWatt by 2021. The proposed 1050 MegaWatt power from the LNG terminal and the additional power production of 1950 MegaWatt using the LNG from the Puthuvype terminal at the National Thermal Power Corporation (NTPC) at Kayamkulam is crucial to meet this huge requirement,” he said.

Speaking on the woes of the West Kochi residents, Aryadan said that `15 crore will be allotted to West Kochi region under R-APDRP scheme of the Central Government to reduce power disruption in the area.

He also said that a notice of at least two days in advance will be given to the people at West Kochi in case of power outage.

“Long distance buses will be allotted to the West Kochi region upon availability.

Two buses - one to the northern part of the state and the other to the southern part- will be given top priority,” the minister assured.

He also added that on the second phase of the Kochi Metro Rail project the inclusion of the West Kochi will be considered. Dominic Presentation MLA, Mayor Tony Chammany, Indian Chamber of Commerce and Industry president P L Prakash James were present at the function.

from newindiaexpress: http://newindianexpress.com/cities/k...icle566546.ece

[passionfruit12]

petronet lng and port trust sent letter to the chief minister against the 'unwanted strike' at the site.

from manorama

[passionfruit12]

Think of the agonies that you as an LPG consumer have had undergone because the LPG cylinder was taking its last breath and the replacement had not arrived. The usual question that comes to mind at such trying times is if there is an alternative. Many people have chosen cooking gadgets working on electricity. But again, power supply is something that no one can rely on.

It is under such a situation that the proposed ‘city gas’ supply assumes much relevance. Kochi is set to have a piped natural gas supply that could reach the kitchen straight.

The project is to take off once the Petronet LNG project, now in the final stage of execution, becomes operational. A pipeline network to distribute the regasified liquefied natural gas to nine industries in Kochi is being laid by GAIL India Limited. The gas could reach homes if the pipelines are extended to residential areas.

Successfully established

The piped natural gas supply network has successfully been established in cities such as New Delhi. The Petroleum and Natural Gas Regulatory Board (PNGRB), the sanctioning authority for establishing domestic distribution network, will have to invite tenders for the work. Though the process had been initiated months ago, procedural delays had come in the way of execution. The process will be set in motion once again, paving way for the city gas project, according to sources in the petroleum industry sector. Providing natural gas to kitchens will also ease the problem of mounting subsidies incurred by the government on the supply of LPG. It could be a win-win situation for the households as well as the government, a top official of GAIL said.

The coming months would witness intense activity on RLNG distribution to industrial units and piped natural gas to household consumers. In a subsequent phase, vehicles could also be run on compressed natural gas (CNG). Slight modifications would be required in the engines of vehicles using petrol and diesel as fuel now, in order to make use of natural gas. With New Delhi having pioneered the process, it would not be a difficult task to replicate the model in Kochi and other cities.

from thehindu: http://www.thehindu.com/todays-paper...cle3664760.ece

[Malayaali]

Petronet-GoK JV to setup 1,200 MW gas-fired power plant at Kochi

Petronet LNG Ltd, the nation's largest natural gas importer, is in talks to set up a Rs 3,500-crore power plant adjacent to its upcoming LNG import facility at Kochi in Kerala.

Petronet has proposed to set up a 1,200 MW gas-fired power plant a 50:50 joint venture with the Kerala government, sources privy to the development said.

Kerala, which faces power shortages, is willing to partner Petronet and the land it will give for setting up of the power plant would be considered as part of its equity contribution in the project.

Also, the state government has shown inclination towards accepting Petronet's condition of buying at least 75% of the power generated at the power plant under a long-term power purchase agreement or PPA.

Sources said the power generated at the plant, which would use liquefied natural gas (LNG) imported from Australia as fuel, would be priced at less than Rs 7 per unit, much cheaper than Rs 11 per unit the state government is currently buying power from some private generators.

Three units of 350 MW each would be set up in 48 months but operationally it will generate 1,200 MW of electricity.

A MoU for the project is likely to be signed between Petronet and the state government shortly, they said, adding a detailed feasibility report would be prepared subsequently.

[IMG]http://i48.************/saw0w8.jpg[/IMG]
cc: Manorama

[psanthosh]

Protests may delay LNG terminal commissioning


KOCHI: Petronet LNG and the Cochin Port Trust (CPT) officials have written to the state government that agitations led by CPM leader S Sarma MLA, demanding employment for the local people at the upcoming LNG terminal at Puthuvype, would delay its commissioning.

The commissioning of the terminal has been scheduled for December. But agitations held over several days have denied staff access to the project site, which may lead to delay in commissioning.

The issue could turn more serious if the government fails to intervene and resolve it, they said.

Petronet officials said being a national company, it would be difficult for them to reserve jobs on regional considerations. The recruitments are done based on national level eligibility criteria through a transparent process.

But the Petronet has recruited 66 Keralites to fill 112 technical posts in the project.

There are 45 security personnel and 12 fire and safety staff deployed by contractors at the site and all of them hail from Kerala. According to Petronet officials, nearly 90% of the non-technical staff is from Kerala.

Chief minister Oommen Chandy had convened a meeting last week to discuss the issue which was cancelled.

CPT officials pointed out that the project did not displace anyone and only a few families had to be relocated for the construction of the access road.

Sarma, however, told TOI here that there was an understanding to give jobs to one member each from 18 families who had to be evicted for the construction of the access road.

"We are only demanding that locals should be given preference for unskilled jobs, if they possess the required qualifications. Petronet has been denying even the job of sweepers to locals,'' he said

http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/c...w/15333391.cms

[passionfruit12]

from mathrubhoomi

[psanthosh]

Work on phase I of LNG pipeline nearing completion


KOCHI: Gas Authority of India Limited (GAIL) has completed the laying of LNG pipeline through the SmartCity area and is set to complete the work through the Naval Armament Depot (NAD) compound by month end.
GAIL had to suspend this project for over six months following objections from the officials of the SmartCity and NAD on safety grounds.

While the objections raised by the SmartCity were resolved through talks mediated by the state government couple of weeks back, the defence ministry gave the formal clearance for laying the pipeline through the NAD only a couple of days back.

"We started the work at NAD three days back and would complete it by month end. The service buildings for these pipelines would be ready by mid-September,'' GAIL deputy general manager K P Ramesh told TOI. With this the first phase of the GAIL pipeline project to carry gas from the Petronet LNG terminal coming up at Puthuvype would be ready for launch, he said.

The total length of the pipeline in this phase would be about 40 km. LNG will be carried to the industrial customers in the suburbs of Kochi like FACT, Bharat Petroleum Cochin Refineries Limited, HOC and TCC and to the 165mw BSES power station.

The delays in the completion of the pipelines had raised doubts about the date of the commissioning of the LNG terminal.

"Even though we will be ready with the infrastructure to carry gas to these customers, it might take some more time before these industries get ready to use the gas. They have to set up the equipment to shift from their current source of fuel to gas,'' said Ramesh.

Under the second phase, gas would be carried from Puthuvype to Mangalore and Bangalore. "The land acquisition process for this has already begun," he said.

http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/c...w/15485231.cms

[vjkrishn]

BPCL plans petcoke power plant

Officials of Bharat Petroleum Corporation Ltd. (BPCL) had a discussion with Chief Minister Oommen Chandy here on Tuesday about the possibilities of setting up a power plant using the petroleum coke (petcoke) generated during the operations at their refinery in Kochi.

A government press release said the Chief Minister had requested them to prepare a detailed plan and also finish, as early as possible, the requisite environmental impact assessment. The refinery, on completion of the ongoing expansion programme there, would produce enough petroleum coke to generate 3,700 million units of electricity annually.

[Arunz]

Kochi: The Petronet LNG Ltd. (PLL) terminal here in Kerala is likely to be commissioned within two months, a top official said Thursday.

The liquefied natural gas (LNG) regasification terminal, a greenfield project, will have a capacity of five million metric tonnes per annum.

Ninety-seven percent of work in the first two phases of the Rs.4,200 crore terminal in Puthu Vypeen near here is complete, the official said.

PLL's promoters are Gas Authority of India Ltd., Oil and Natural Gas Corporation, Indian Oil Corporation and Bharat Petroleum Corporation Ltd.

PLL managing director A.K. Balyan said that by next year, companies here would be using LNG from the terminal, supplied either through pipelines or trucks.

LNG would be made available to factories within 50 sq km of Kochi.

In the next phase, LNG would reach Bangalore and Mangalore through pipelines.


http://twocircles.net/2012aug23/petr...wo_months.html

[psanthosh]

Petronet LNG plans to enlarge natural gas network in state

Petronet LNG Ltd’s (PLL) terminal worth Rs 4,200 crore which can produce 5 million tonnes of liquified natural gas (LNG) a year in the Puthuvype island off Kochi is expected to be commissioned by December.

Initiating the steps to enlarge the natural gas network in the state, Petronet LNG terminal officials have submitted a proposal to the KSRTC to convert buses to the compressed natural gas (CNG) format.

PLL is also holding talks with companies such as Hindustan Latex and Carborundum for the supply of LNG in 15-tonne tankers to these companies. Also talks with more companies in the state, which require small quantities of LNG, is on. “We have already submitted a proposal to the KSRTC to convert the buses to the CNG mode. To implement this, LNG hubs (small storage units of LNG) should be constructed. If all goes as planned, the KSRTC buses in the state can be converted to CNG mode resulting in less pollution as is practised in New Delhi,” said Pushp Khetarpal, senior vice-president, Petronet LNG-Kochi.

LNG will emit 20 per cent less carbon dioxide compared to oil and 50 per cent less carbon dioxide than coal. Petronet LNG is also in talks with vehicle manufacturers to develop vehicles that could support gas as fuel.

In a major step that could boost the gas consumption in the state, the PLL has also kept provisions for supplying LNG directly to those customers who are not connected with the gas pipeline.

The company has decided to synchronise commissioning of both the phases of the project and will be in a position to do it by December, the company officials said.

It is estimated that the demand for gas will increase by 35 per cent all over the world whereas 6 per cent increase in the country is expected in the next few years. India has a reserve of 51 trillion cubic feet of gas.

“We are exploring opportunities to give gas to the small consumers in the state. Industries such as fertilizer, chemical refineries and refractors will benefit from this,” Khetarpal added.


http://newindianexpress.com/states/k...icle595010.ece

[psanthosh]

Pipe-laying for first phase of LNG terminal completed



Pipe-laying through Njarakkal for gas supply to FACT had come up against resistance from people in the areas through which the pipeline was to pass

Gas Authority of India Limited (GAIL) has completed laying gas pipelines for the first phase of natural gas supply from Petronet LNG’s (PLL) Kochi terminal, due for commissioning later this year.

Sources told The Hindu that GAIL, entrusted with the task of laying the pipeline to meet the natural gas demand in the industrial areas around Kochi, came up against stiff challenges in completing the work, estimated to have cost more than Rs.100 crore.

Pipe-laying through Njarakkal for gas supply to FACT had come up against resistance from people in the areas through which the pipeline was to pass. The route was then shifted using a new alignment via the Container Road, which links the International Container Transshipment Terminal with National Highway 47.

Sources said that the change in alignment had a positive result because the total length of the pipeline was reduced by more than half. The length of the pipeline was 93 km as per the initial plan. It was reduced to 43 km, slashing 50 km of the mix of 30-inch and 18-inch pipeline.

Fuel for seven units

PLL’s Kochi terminal will initially be commissioned with a capacity to supply 2.5 million tonnes of liquefied gas. The fuel will go to seven industrial units — Bharat Petroleum Corporation Limited’s Kochi refinery; Fertilizers and Chemicals Travancore’s Cochin and Udyogamandal divisions; Hindustan Organic Chemicals; BSES power generation facility at Pathalam; Travancore Cochin Chemicals and Nitta Gelatin India Limited.

Another private sector company, which had initially hesitated on getting the supply, is learnt to be in queue for the gas supply.

It is also learnt that the State government has initiated steps to get natural gas for the Brahmapuram power generation facility.

PSUs readying

Meanwhile, public sector undertakings like HOCL, FACT and BPCL-Kochi refinery are getting ready to switch fuel.

According to sources in the industry, BPCL, FACT and BSES power generation facility represent bulk of the demand, with the public sector fertilizer company accounting for about one-fifth of the demand of gas from the first phase of the LNG terminal in Kochi.

Sources indicated that the three public sector companies would be ready to switch fuel by May-June 2013, in tandem with the availability of gas in the city.

FACT’s two productions divisions has raised a demand for between one and 1.2 million metric standard cubic metres of gas per day; BSES’ projected demand is 0.9 mmscmd and BPCL’s projected demand 0.6 mmscmd.

http://www.thehindu.com/news/cities/...cle3843637.ece

[Prasanth_KCV]

Link: http://www.mathrubhumi.com/story.php?id=299224

State Government is planning to construct huge petrochemical park near Cochin Refinary.

Investment Rs. 17,000 crore

On 3100 acre Site near Cochin Refinary and Hindustan Organic Chemicals

State will get viability gap funding and fund for master plan from Central Governament

It will be 4th Petrolium, Chemicals and Petrochemical Investment Park in India

[KMC]

Originally Posted by Prasanth_KCV

Link: http://www.mathrubhumi.com/story.php?id=299224

State Government is planning to construct huge petrochemical park near Cochin Refinary.

Investment Rs. 17,000 crore

On 3100 acre Site near Cochin Refinary and Hindustan Organic Chemicals

State will get viability gap funding and fund for master plan from Central Governament

It will be 4th Petrolium, Chemicals and Petrochemical Investment Park in India
:

Wawww , Great that Govt is giving Kochi its due importance....


we have to make up for the lost 5 years...

[mohammedirshad06]

The government has eariler announced this project, as part of Budget 2012, a mega Petrochemical Zone in Kochi. I guess, this is more refined and concrete proposal from the GOK, to be presented before investors, in its proper form.

Surely Kochi rocks with such mega proposals. Adding to 20,000 Crore development plans of BPCL, both make Kochi a big name in Petrochemicals sector.

[ak.army]

Originally Posted by mohammedirshad06

The government has eariler announced this project, as part of Budget 2012, a mega Petrochemical Zone in Kochi. I guess, this is more refined and concrete proposal from the GOK, to be presented before investors, in its proper form.

Surely Kochi rocks with such mega proposals. Adding to 20,000 Crore development plans of BPCL, both make Kochi a big name in Petrochemicals sector.

This is one project which is going to be a game changer.I am looking fwd for this more than any other project.90% of the product are made of Hydro carbon and the world revolves around it.It will spurt further investments.sort of chain reaction.