08-01-05 GAIL (India) has decided to initiate industry gas plan meets, in what marks the first step towards creation of a mature market for natural gas in the country.
This comes at a time when introduction of re-gasified LNG (R-LNG) is poised to bring about a major operational change within the sector since it requires precise distribution planning.

Incidentally, GAIL (India) has close to 60 % share of the R-LNG market with most of its share of 5.21 mm cmpd of gas being tied up with customers.
The industry gas plan meet aims at bringing together major gas suppliers and marketers in a bid to ensure smooth handling of supply and distribution in the sector. Among other things, it should also foster closer interaction between major gas suppliers like ONGC, Oil India, Cairn Energy and British Gas while GAIL, IOC and BPCL are among the key gas marketing companies.

Current gas consumption level in the country is around 75 mm cmpd, with supply being maintained through the Hajira-Vijapur-Jagdishpur (HVJ) other regional pipelines.
During the monthly meetings, suppliers would share the firm availability of natural gas and provide indication for any planned shut down during the next three months. This, in turn, is likely to facilitate better linkages between gas supply sources and plan its distribution, taking into account planned shutdowns at both the suppliers and the consumers' end.