Dharmendra Pradhan explores LNG import opportunities in Canada

Energy-hungry India is looking to import liquefied natural gas (LNG) from Canada to meet its requirements. Oil Minister Dharmendra Pradhan met Canadian Minister for Natural Resources Greg Rickford at the second India-Canada Ministerial Energy Dialogue in Calgary to discuss enhancing energy cooperation between the two countries. 

The areas of cooperation discussed at the meeting included oil, natural gas, clean energy, power transmission and skill development, an official statement said here on Tuesday. “Canada could potentially supply a significant amount of the 44 billion cubic metres of natural gas that India is forecast to import annually by 2025,” the statement said. State-owned Indian Oil Corp (IOC) has already taken a 10 <g data-gr-id="18">per cent</g> stake in the Pacific NorthWest LNG, while real estate firm Hiranandani Group has announced plans to develop a 4.5 million tonnes per annum LNG export terminal in Melford, Nova Scotia at an estimated cost of $3.3 billion by 2020. 

“India and Canada share common values and ideals and believe in long-term sustained partnerships. Our energy cooperation is steadily <g data-gr-id="22">growing</g> but the potential is much higher Let’s convert the potential into reality,” the statement quoted Pradhan as saying. Speaking on the occasion, Rickford <g data-gr-id="21">said</g> “Canada’s growing energy relationship with India is helping create jobs and long-term prosperity for both of our countries. We stand ready to expand our strategic partnership through greater cooperation based on our complementarity of energy interests.” 

Both the ministers highlighted Canada and India’s growing energy partnership, by strengthening government and business relationships, to help create jobs and long-term economic prosperity for both countries. While India is fourth-largest energy consumer, Canada is a secure producer and supplier of energy and has the resources and expertise needed to support India’s growing energy needs, the statement said.