India orders the strengthening of its natural gas infrastructure amid shortages

India issued an order Tuesday to address obstacles in building and expanding its natural?gas?infrastructure, as it aims to 'diversify' its fuel supply in the face of disruptions on global energy markets due to the U.S./Israeli war against Iran.

The conflict has caused disruptions in shipping and gas supply, including the close-to-closure of Strait of Hormuz which is?a conduit for 40 percent of India's crude imports.

The Ministry of Petroleum and Natural gas said that the restrictions on liquefied gas (LPG), and natural gas, will continue for "a long time" because of damage to and shutdowns in Gulf liquefaction plants supplying India, as well as the continued blockade in the Strait of Hormuz.

The report said that it was necessary to create a uniform framework to eliminate obstacles such as delays in approvals, high fees, and land access issues to accelerate pipeline construction?and to expand the use of piping natural gas throughout India.

The order establishes timelines for approvals of pipelines. Permissions are deemed granted by authorities who fail to respond in time.

The law also limits the fees that public authorities can charge for pipeline access, establishes rules for compensation and land access, and encourages households to switch from LPG to piped natural gas. Reporting by Rhea Abraham and Ananya Palyekar in Bengaluru; Chris Thomas in Mexico City, Editing by Lincoln Feast

(source: Reuters)