Shell Energy India Receives Environmental Clearance for Hazira LNG Terminal Expansion.

Shell Energy India Pvt Ltd has secured crucial environmental clearance to expand its Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG) terminal at Hazira Port in Gujarat. The project, with a hefty investment of ₹21,600 crore, will boost the terminal's capacity from its current 6.28 million metric tonnes per annum (MMTPA) to a massive 26.2 MMTPA.

The expansion will increase the terminal's regasification capacity to 25 MMTPA and its truck loading capacity to 1.2 MMTPA, according to official documents.

The ambitious plan includes constructing new LNG storage tanks, enhancing regasification capabilities, and building a new jetty and breakwater to handle more LNG carriers. The project will also involve dredging 2.8 million cubic meters to deepen the channel for larger vessels.

The Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change’s Expert Appraisal Committee recommended the expansion on September 2, paving the way for the project to proceed.

This development follows a previous attempt by Shell to expand the terminal to 10 MMTPA, which was stalled in 2021 due to a lack of forest clearance. Shell has since obtained the necessary clearance from the Gujarat government, clearing the final hurdle for the expansion.

The new truck loading facilities at Hazira will not only serve industrial clients but will also supply LNG as a transport fuel, supporting the government's push to replace diesel with LNG in heavy-duty vehicles.

The Hazira terminal, originally commissioned in 2005 with a 2.5 MMTPA capacity, was expanded to 5 MMTPA in 2013 and later to 6.28 MMTPA. This latest expansion marks the largest and most significant upgrade in the terminal's history.