Crown LNG Partners with India Gas Exchange for LNG Sales in India

Crown LNG, a provider of liquefaction and regasification terminal technologies for harsh weather locations, has announced a strategic partnership with India Gas Exchange (IGX), India’s first automated national-level trading platform. The collaboration aims to facilitate liquefied natural gas (LNG) sales to pipeline customers downstream from Crown LNG’s planned LNG import terminal in Kakinada, India.

The signing of a non-binding memorandum of understanding (MoU) between Crown LNG and IGX signals their commitment to working together on LNG sales to pipeline customers. The MoU was signed by Swapan Kataria, CEO of Crown LNG, and Rajesh Kumar Mediratta, Managing Director & CEO of IGX, in the presence of Shri Tangella Uday Srinivas, Member of Parliament from Kakinada.

Under the non-binding MoU, LNG cargoes passing through Crown LNG’s regasification terminal will be listed, marketed, and sold on the IGX platform. This agreement is expected to enhance market awareness through workshops and industry engagement initiatives to encourage broader participation in gas trading.

Crown LNG and IGX plan to collaborate closely on LNG cargo arrivals and sales, aiming to establish a stable and efficient supply chain to unlock new opportunities in India’s energy sector. Both companies are committed to supporting India’s goal of achieving a 15% gas-based economy by 2030, set by Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

Kataria emphasized, “This collaboration will offer Crown a unique position to sell gas to a large base of producers, traders, and offtakers throughout India. We believe this agreement is the first of several that will address the lack of supply for the eastern coast of the fourth largest LNG importer in the world.”

“Together with IGX and our growing network of trusted local partners, we are excited to strengthen India’s energy security and to help make natural gas more accessible to industries and micro-enterprises across India.”

With an approved total import capacity of 7.2 million tonnes per annum (mtpa), the Kakinada terminal is expected to reach a final investment decision in 2026, with the first gas delivery planned for 2029. Crown LNG’s Kakinada and Grangemouth LNG import terminal assets form the foundation of its global LNG infrastructure network.

Situated on the East coast of India, the Kakinada project is designed to operate year-round, with imported gas reaching demand centers via the east-west pipeline. This initiative aligns with the Indian government’s target to increase the share of natural gas in the country’s energy mix to 15% by 2030.

The company recently postponed the final investment decision (FID) for its floating LNG (FLNG) import terminal in Scotland, following the selection of UK-based IKM Engineering & Environmental Consultants as the design and engineering partner for the project.