Adequate supply of affordable energy is a pre-requisite for sustained growth, especially in the developing and emerging economies. Natural gas has emerged as most benign fuel in this regard.

 Natural Gas is a new age fuel. With only one carbon and four hydrogen atoms per molecule, Natural Gas has the lowest carbon to hydrogen ratio, hence it burns completely, making it the cleanest of fossil fuels. Natural Gas satisfies most of the requirements for fuel in a modern day industrial society, being efficient, non-polluting and relatively economical. The periodic uncertainties and volatility in both the price and supply of oil, have also helped Natural Gas emerge as a major fuel in the energy basket across countries.
 

Sector			Natural Gas is used
Generation of electricity by utilities			As fuel for base load power plants In combined cycle/co-generation power plants
Fertilizer Industry			As feed stock in the production of ammonia and urea
Industrial			As an under boiler fuel for raising steam As fuel in furnaces and heating applications
Domestic and commercia			For heating of spaces and water For cooking
Automotive			As a non-polluting fuel
Petrochemicals			As the raw material from which a variety of chemical products e.g. methanol, are derived

Natural Gas comes in 4 basic forms:
 

• Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG) - Natural Gas which has been liquefied at – (Minus) 160 degree Centigrade. Natural Gas is liquefied to facilitate transportation in large volumes in cryogenic tankers across sea.
• Regasified Liquefied Natural Gas (RLNG) – LNG Re-gasified before transporting it to consumers through Pipelines.
• Compressed Natural gas, CNG - Natural Gas compressed to a pressure of 200-250 kg/cm2 used as fuel for transportation. CNG decreases vehicular pollution on the virtue of being cleaner fuel than liquid fuels.
• Piped Natural gas, PNG - Natural Gas distributed through a pipeline network that has safety valves to maintain the pressure, assuring safe, uninterrupted supply to the domestic sector for cooking and heating / cooling applications.

India’s natural gas scenario is undergoing rapid changes and gas is poised to occupy a significant share in the energy mix. In order to diversify energy