Dharmendra Pradhan launches Indian Gas Exchange, first nationwide online delivery-based gas trading platform
Minister of Petroleum and Natural Gas & Steel Dharmendra Pradhan launched the Indian Gas Exchange (IGX), the first nationwide online delivery-based gas trading platform, in an e-ceremony today. IGX will be a delivery-based trading platform for the delivery of Natural Gas. The trade on the platform commenced in his auspicious presence. Incorporated as a wholly-owned subsidiary of the IEX - India’s energy market platform, IGX will enable market participants to trade in standardized gas contracts. The platform is fully automated with a web-based interface to provide a seamless trading experience to the customers.
Speaking on the occasion, Pradhan said that the launch of the new electronic trading platform for natural gas today has opened a new chapter in the energy history of India and help the nation move towards free-market pricing of natural gas. He said that with this landmark, India is joining the club of progressive economies. As there will be a market-driven pricing mechanism, India Gas Exchange (IGX) will play a bigger role towards realizing a free market for gas, he added.
The minister also said that Petroleum and Natural Gas Regulatory Board (PNGRB) is working on the rationalization of tariffs to make natural gas affordable in every part of the country. The government has no business to be in business and the consumer is the king in a free market, Pradhan added. He also said that through IGX, India's vision on mega investments on Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG) terminals, gas pipelines, CGD infrastructure, and permission for market-driven price mechanism will be materialized.
Referring to the various initiatives taken to make India a gas-based economy, the Minister said that the Indian gas market has multiple price bands for assets including pre-NELP, NELP, High Temperature, and High Pressure (HTHP) and Deepwater and Ultra Deep Water blocks. He said that the country will soon have 50 MMT LNG terminal capacity. He said that the country has long-term gas contracts with many countries like Qatar, Australia, Russia, and the US, and has made investments abroad in strategic assets in Mozambique, Russia and other countries. He also mentioned about various ongoing projects to strengthen the gas infrastructure in the country like Urja Ganga, Eastern India grid, Indradhanush project in the North-east, Dhamra-Dahej pipeline, coal gasification, and CBM policy. He said that country will have more than 30,000km of pipeline in next few years.
According to the minister, the new electronic trading platform for natural gas is the biggest indicator of the center's progressive policy as it completes the entire energy value chain from gas production from multiple sources and imports of LNG from different parts of the globe to have a transparent price mechanism. Talking about the Prime Minister’s vision to provide energy justice to the people of India, he said that they must have universal access to clean, affordable, sustainable, and equitable supply of energy.
Secretary, Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas Tarun Kapoor, PNGRB Chairman D.K.Saraf were also present on the occasion.