Afcons Infrastructure Ltd., having successfully completed the EPC (engineering procurement and construction) work at the Kochi LNG (liquefied natural gas) terminal of Petronet LNG Ltd., is eying a big role in the construction of LNG terminals in India.
Better opportunities“For us, LNG terminals represent better opportunities. We have built receiving station (LNG jetty), storage facility (huge tanks) and re-gasification facility for clients. Out of seven operating LNG tanks in India, we have constructed four,” company Vice-Chairman and Managing Director K. Subrahmanian told The Hindu .
Lion’s share“We will have a lion’s share in building LNG terminals in India. We will be associated with the maximum number of LNG projects. This is definitely one of our preferred areas of operation. LNG has a global scope for us,” Mr. Subrahmanian added.
He said at Kochi, Afcons was the only Indian company involved in the construction of the terminal facility, besides CTCI Corporation from Taiwan and IHI of Japan.
“At Kochi, we did various modules of this project. First, we did shore protection, almost levelling that area. Then we constructed tanks for IHI, the Petronet’s main turnkey contractor.
“After that directly with Petronet LNG, we constructed the 380-metre long marine jetty. Afocon’s portion was completed within a period of 36 months,” Mr. Subrahmanian said.
According to company executives, Central ministry officials, who had visited the site, were satisfied with the smooth finish of the structures, both tanks and marine facilities. Mr. Subrahmanian said since LNG was a cleaner source of energy, the government was trying to double the LNG consumption and it would require construction of more LNG terminals.
“One LNG project is coming up at the Gangavaram Port in Andhra Pradesh, another is coming up at the Ennore Port in Tamil Nadu.
Gujarat State Petroleum Corporation is planning one at Gujarat, and our own group (Shapoorji Pallonji) is planning to put up a terminal at the Chhara Port in Gujarat. We would be eying most of them,” Mr. Subrahmanian said.
