Latest news with #CompressedNaturalGas

Business Insider
6 days ago
- Business
- Business Insider
Dangote refinery to kick off nationwide fuel distribution
Dangote Petroleum Refinery has announced a major fuel distribution initiative set to begin on August 15, 2025, aimed at transforming Nigeria's downstream petroleum sector. Dangote Petroleum Refinery announced a fuel distribution initiative starting August 15, 2025. The program aims to supply PMS and diesel across Nigeria to various sectors, including energy and aviation. To remove logistical challenges, the company will provide complementary logistics support to buyers. Dangote Petroleum Refinery has announced a major fuel distribution initiative set to begin on August 15, 2025, aimed at transforming Nigeria's downstream petroleum sector. 'Effective 15th of August 2025, the Refinery will begin the distribution of Premium Motor Spirit (PMS) and diesel to marketers, petrol dealers, manufacturers, telecoms firms, aviation, and other large users across the country, with free logistics to boost the distribution network,' the refinery said in a statement on X. To eliminate logistics bottlenecks and reduce distribution costs, the company offers free logistics support to fuel purchasers as part of the programme. This move is expected to significantly lower fuel costs, especially for key sectors, and ease inflationary pressure. To support the smooth rollout, Dangote Refinery has invested in 4,000 brand-new Compressed Natural Gas (CNG)-powered tankers. The company is also building CNG refuelling infrastructure across the country, supported by a fleet of over 100 additional CNG tankers to ensure seamless product movement. Credit support for high-volume purchases The refinery, the world's largest single-train refinery, also announced a credit facility for high-volume buyers. Those purchasing a minimum of 500,000 litres will qualify to receive an additional 500,000 litres on credit for two weeks, backed by a bank guarantee. In a statement released by the company, Dangote Refinery described the initiative as a 'strategic programme' aligned with its commitment to enhancing energy efficiency, promoting sustainability, and driving inclusive economic growth.


Hans India
13-06-2025
- Business
- Hans India
Big push to oil & gas infra in last 11 years
New Delhi: Minister of Petroleum and Natural Gas, Hardeep Singh Puri, on Thursday said that over the last 11 years, India's oil and gas sector has expanded steadily, from building modern refineries and pipelines to securing reserves and promoting cleaner fuels as part of the infrastructure revolution that is taking place in the country. The minister said, 'Infrastructure has been central to India's growth story under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi and these efforts in the oil and gas sector have strengthened the country's energy security and laid the foundation for a self-sufficient future.' Highlighting the infrastructure milestones in the oil and gas sector, Puri said that the country now has 23 modern operational refineries with a total capacity of 257 million metric tonnes per annum to produce petroleum products such as petrol, diesel, jet fuel and LPG The Piped Natural Gas (PNG) infrastructure that provides green cooking fuel to household kitchens in the country has been expanded to cover 733 districts across the country. Besides, Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) for fuelling vehicles is being provided across 8,000 retail stations to consumers nationwide. The minister also underlined that E20 ethanol blended petrol was now being made available for vehicles at all the retail outlets nationwide. He further stated that the Ministry's Compressed Bio-Gas (CBG) initiatives have resulted in the setting up of 106 plants with the combined capacity of 625 TPD. The minister also highlighted the ministry's initiative in setting up storage facilities for strategic petroleum reserves, on which the country can fall back in times of emergency and which assume importance during times of geopolitical reserves can also be dipped into at times when global prices skyrocket to provide a cushion to the national oil companies. The minister mentioned that the storage capacity at Pudur is 2.25 million metric tonnes (MMT), the Visakhaptnam facility has the capacity to store 1.33 MMT of crude oil while Mangalore has a storage capacity of 1.5 MMT.


Time of India
12-06-2025
- Business
- Time of India
Big push to oil & gas infra in last 11 years has strengthened India's energy security: Puri
New Delhi: Minister of Petroleum and Natural Gas, Hardeep Singh Puri , on Thursday said that over the last 11 years, India's oil and gas sector has expanded steadily, from building modern refineries and pipelines to securing reserves and promoting cleaner fuels as part of the infrastructure revolution that is taking place in the country. The minister said, "Infrastructure has been central to India's growth story under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi and these efforts in the oil and gas sector have strengthened the country's energy security and laid the foundation for a self-sufficient future." Highlighting the infrastructure milestones in the oil and gas sector, Puri said that the country now has 23 modern operational refineries with a total capacity of 257 million metric tonnes per annum to produce petroleum products such as petrol, diesel, jet fuel and LPG The Piped Natural Gas (PNG) infrastructure that provides green cooking fuel to household kitchens in the country has been expanded to cover 733 districts across the country. Besides, Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) for fuelling vehicles is being provided across 8,000 retail stations to consumers nationwide. The minister also underlined that E20 ethanol blended petrol was now being made available for vehicles at all the retail outlets nationwide. He further stated that the Ministry's Compressed Bio-Gas (CBG) initiatives have resulted in the setting up of 106 plants with the combined capacity of 625 TPD. The minister also highlighted the ministry's initiative in setting up storage facilities for strategic petroleum reserves , on which the country can fall back in times of emergency and which assume importance during times of geopolitical uncertainty. These reserves can also be dipped into at times when global prices skyrocket to provide a cushion to the national oil companies. The minister mentioned that the storage capacity at Pudur is 2.25 million metric tonnes (MMT), the Visakhaptnam facility has the capacity to store 1.33 MMT of crude oil while Mangalore has a storage capacity of 1.5 MMT. Besides, another strategic reserve facility is being built at Chandikhol, which is also on the sea coast. He also underscored that the public sector oil marketing companies have set up six skill development institutions which have already succeeded in skilling as many as 16,000 professionals so far. --IANS sps/rad


Hans India
09-06-2025
- Automotive
- Hans India
Tirupati Devoted to Transformation: Embracing CNG for a Sustainable Future Path to Cleaner Energy and Economic Growth
Tirupati is emerging as a beacon of clean energy transformation, embracing Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) to drive both environmental progress and economic development. With growing public awareness, supportive policies, and infrastructure advancements, CNG is fast becoming the fuel of choice across the temple city. Sharp Rise in CNG Vehicles and Retrofitments A standout indicator of this transformation is the rapid increase in CNG-powered vehicles. As of FY 2024–25, Tirupati has recorded a total of 6,377no CNG vehicles, up from 3854no in the previous year — a 65 % year-on-year growth. This growth is primarily driven by OEM (original equipment manufacturer) CNG vehicles, which rose from 100 units to 6149 units, marking a sharp 5749 increase. Factory-fitted CNG vehicles are in high demand due to their optimized performance, reliability, and manufacturer-backed warranties. In addition to OEMs, the retrofitment market is seeing remarkable traction. Vehicle owners, especially auto drivers and small transport operators, are converting their existing petrol or diesel vehicles to CNG to reduce fuel costs. Though official figures are still consolidating, market reports point to a surge in Retrofitments due to growing accessibility of certified kits and affordable conversion services. CNG proves to be economically attractive, offering up to 45% savings on fuel costs compared to petrol and diesel. These benefits are further supported by lower maintenance costs and longer engine life, making it a practical and sustainable choice for private users and commercial fleet operators alike. Government Push: Lower Taxes, Bigger Impact The Andhra Pradesh government has played a pivotal role in making CNG adoption more accessible. One of the key enablers has been the reduction of VAT on CNG from 24.5% to 5% — a bold fiscal move that significantly slashed pump prices and made CNG far more affordable for the average consumer. This reform has sparked increased demand across segments — from three-wheelers and taxis to family cars and delivery vehicles. It also encouraged more vehicle owners to consider retrofitments, further expanding the green fleet on Tirupati roads. Infrastructure Expansion Fuels Growth Backing this CNG boom is a robust infrastructure framework. The city recently saw the commissioning of a 3.0Km at Tirupati Bye-pass Road (Banglore-Chennai Highway), which is now connected via a 98.0-kilometre steel pipeline network. This network ensures uninterrupted gas supply not only for vehicles but also for households, commercial kitchens, and industrial units. In tandem, new CNG filling stations are being set up across key areas of Tirupati including expansion town limits Mangalam, Renigunta, Tiruchanur and connecting Highways to Tirupati i.e Bangalore -Tirupathi - Chennai highway and Tirupati-Vijayawada highway to enhance accessibility and reduce queuing time. This infrastructure expansion is critical in building consumer confidence and ensuring CNG remains a convenient everyday fuel. The increased availability of fuelling stations is particularly beneficial to retrofit users, who often cite range anxiety as a concern. With reliable access, these users are now joining the clean energy movement in larger numbers. Wider Vision: State-Level Momentum Tirupati's progress is part of a broader state-driven initiative. The Andhra Pradesh government at the start of the year has earmarked ₹10,000 crores to expand natural gas networks into semi-urban and rural areas. This funding will also facilitate the rollout of more CNG stations and piped gas infrastructure. In the coming months, additional CNG stations are set to be launched across other districts and towns, creating a ripple effect of clean energy access. These developments support Andhra Pradesh's larger commitment to sustainable urbanization and low-emission transport ecosystems. A Model for Clean Energy Transition With strategic government support, a sharp increase in vehicle conversions, and expanding infrastructure, Tirupati is fast becoming a model city for India's clean mobility goals. The integrated approach—combining tax reforms, infrastructure, consumer incentives, and environmental responsibility—is paying dividends. As more individuals and businesses make the switch to CNG, Tirupati is proving that clean energy adoption doesn't have to be a compromise—it can be a smarter, cost-effective, and sustainable way forward.


Time of India
04-06-2025
- Business
- Time of India
CNG wins the race, PNG falls behind—The inside story of India's city gas rollout
New Delhi: India's ambitious push for piped natural gas (PNG) connectivity in households has reached only halfway to its target, with just 1.50 crore domestic connections achieved against a pro-rata target of 3 crore, according to the latest City Gas Distribution (CGD) performance data released by the Petroleum and Natural Gas Regulatory Board (PNGRB) for March 2025. The report highlights that the shortfall is particularly stark in the most recent bidding rounds. The 9th round, launched in 2018, achieved only 26% of its pro-rata PNG domestic target. The 10th round (2019) reached 21%, while the 11th and 11A rounds (both 2022) stood at just 1% and 0%, respectively. The 12th round, conducted in 2024, also reported zero achievement on domestic PNG connections . Out of the 312 geographical areas (GAs) authorised by PNGRB till date, 93 GAs continue to report zero domestic PNG connections—indicating major last-mile delivery gaps in several regions. These rounds collectively represent a significant portion of the national PNG household target, making the shortfall critical from a coverage and energy access standpoint. In contrast, the rollout of Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) infrastructure has significantly outpaced targets. Against a pro-rata target of 4,877 CNG stations , 8,067 stations have already been commissioned, reflecting 165% achievement as of March 2025. In the month of March alone, 347 CNG stations were added against a target of 213. The number of PNG customers in the industrial and commercial segments stood at 20,461 and 45,373 respectively. While these numbers are rising, the PNGRB report noted that they remain modest when compared to the sector's potential—particularly in the context of industrial decarbonisation and commercial energy efficiency targets. On the consumption side, data from March 2025 shows that CNG accounted for the highest share of natural gas volumes at 59%. Industrial PNG usage followed with 31%, while domestic PNG stood at just 8%, and commercial PNG at 2%. The underperformance in domestic connections is also reflected in volume shares, suggesting the need for targeted interventions. In terms of total gas sales, India clocked 15,462 million metric standard cubic meters (MMSCM) in FY25. Of this, 10,404 MMSCM came from CNG, followed by 6,174 MMSCM from domestic PNG, 4,748 MMSCM from industrial PNG, and 310 MMSCM from commercial PNG. Monthly gas sales for March stood at 813 MMSCM, of which CNG accounted for 556 MMSCM, PNG (domestic) for 342 MMSCM, PNG (industrial) for 413 MMSCM, and PNG (commercial) for 23 MMSCM. The share of APM (administered price mechanism) gas in total sales during March was 45%. The CGD pipeline network has expanded to 5,46,867 inch-kilometres. In terms of transmission infrastructure, common carrier pipelines span 32,661 km, tie-in connectivity accounts for 792 km, and dedicated pipelines for 780 km. In the petroleum and petroleum product pipeline (PPPL) segment, a total of 13,652.5 km has been authorised, with 9,301 km operational and 4,263.5 km under construction. The report also outlines performance by category of CGD entities. Public sector undertakings (PSUs) account for 27% of domestic PNG connections and 36% of CNG stations. Joint ventures between PSUs have the highest billed PNG domestic share at 60%, while private players account for 14%. PNGRB's data captures the state of play in India's gas infrastructure rollout as of March 2025 and serves as a key reference point for both industry and policymakers tracking progress towards a wider, cleaner, and more connected natural gas economy.