Indian Oil Corporation Ltd (IOCL) has approved an investment of Rs 2,448.70 crore to develop the Kochi-Kanyakumari-Thoothukudi Natural Gas Pipeline (KTPL). The project is expected to improve natural gas connectivity between Kerala and Tamil Nadu and make supplies more accessible to industries and other consumers across the region.
The proposed pipeline will cover 424.65 kilometres, connecting Kochi in Kerala with Thoothukudi in Tamil Nadu through the Kanyakumari region. It will have a total capacity of 6.84 million standard cubic metres per day (MMSCMD), of which 1.71 MMSCMD will be available as common carrier capacity.
The investment approval is an important step in Indian Oil's plans to expand its gas transmission network in southern India. The Petroleum and Natural Gas Regulatory Board (PNGRB) had earlier authorised the company to develop and operate the pipeline.
The pipeline will start from the Kochi LNG terminal and carry regasified liquefied natural gas to consumers in Kerala and southern Tamil Nadu. It is expected to support industries, city gas distribution networks and other users that depend on a reliable supply of natural gas.
The KTPL project will connect the Kochi LNG terminal with Indian Oil's existing gas network at Thoothukudi. This will create an additional route for transporting gas and improve connections between major supply and consumption centres in the region.
The pipeline could also support the expansion of city gas distribution networks in areas along its route. This would help distributors increase access to piped natural gas (PNG) for households and businesses, as well as compressed natural gas (CNG) for vehicles.
The project is expected to be particularly useful for industrial customers that use natural gas as a fuel. Better pipeline connectivity can provide these businesses with more reliable access to gas and reduce their dependence on alternative fuels.
The common carrier capacity of 1.71 MMSCMD will also allow eligible third-party users to access part of the pipeline's capacity, subject to the applicable regulatory framework. This could help make the infrastructure available to a wider group of gas suppliers and consumers.
The project is part of wider efforts to expand India's natural gas infrastructure and connect regions that have limited access to pipeline networks. Greater connectivity can help transport gas from LNG terminals and other supply sources to industrial, commercial and residential users.
Indian Oil already operates gas transmission infrastructure in southern India. One of its major assets is the Ennore-Tuticorin-Bengaluru R-LNG Pipeline, which has an installed capacity of 34.67 MMSCMD and supplies gas to industrial customers and city gas distribution networks in Tamil Nadu.
The new Kochi-Kanyakumari-Thoothukudi pipeline will add to this network and provide another link between LNG supplies and consumers. Its connection with Indian Oil's existing infrastructure at Thoothukudi is also expected to improve the integration of gas networks in the region.
PNGRB had proposed the project in 2024 as part of efforts to improve natural gas availability in Kerala and Tamil Nadu. The regulator identified the pipeline as an important connection between the Kochi LNG terminal and the existing gas network at Thoothukudi.
The expansion comes as India continues to develop its LNG infrastructure and increase the availability of gas across different sectors. Pipeline networks play a key role in moving gas from import terminals and production centres to industrial areas, cities and other consumers.
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With the Rs 2,448.70 crore investment approved, Indian Oil can now move ahead with the development of the KTPL project. Once completed, the pipeline is expected to add transmission capacity and improve gas supply in Kerala and Tamil Nadu.
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