The first IndianOil Gas Conclave 2015 held in New Delhi on March 18 was inaugurated by Mr. B. Ashok, Chairman, IndianOil, in the presence of Mr. D. Sen, Director (P&BD), and Mr. G.K. Satish, ED I/c (Gas), IndianOil. The conclave brought together luminaries from the global and Indian gas industry to deliberate on the theme ‘Gas – Towards Green Future’ in view of its emergence as an alternate to oil.
In his inaugural address, Mr. Ashok said that natural gas has become the most favoured fuel in the last three decades with a 24 per cent share in the global primary energy sector. Speaking on the gas scenario in the country, he observed that demand for natural gas is rising sharply and its share is likely to reach about 20 per cent in primary energy consumption in the coming decade. The higher share of natural gas will help resolve key issues such as energy security and environmental concerns and address criticalities of fuel subsidy and currency fluctuations.
He highlighted the fact that IndianOil has its presence in the entire value chain of gas, from gas assets in upstream to gas infrastructure and gas marketing. Emphasising the need for carving a niche presence in the gas infrastructure, he said setting up a regasification terminal at Ennore Port and having a joint authorisation for laying 4,000 km of gas pipelines is a step in that direction. After attending the conclave, experts would hopefully deliberate and come out with a roadmap for the growth of the Indian gas industry which would shape the future of the sector.
Mr. Ashok also unveiled the background paper for the first gas conclave titled ‘Fuelling a Better Tomorrow’ prepared in collaboration with KPMG, that provides an overview of India’s energy landscape with focus on evolution of the natural gas market and the way forward for its sustainable growth in future.
Mr. Sen, in his address, underscored the need for making gas affordable and working on expansion of the gas pipeline network. Of course, Asia is poised to be the growth driver of gas in the region in future. With the emergence of gas as a viable alternate, he said the conclave would pave way for firming up a progressive action plan towards building gas as the fuel of the future.
Industry experts and corporate leaders formed an integral part of the panel discussions held at the conclave that witnessed the presence of Mr. Anil Jain, Advisor – Energy, NITI Aayog, Mr. Vikas Kaushal, Managing Director and Country Head, AT Kearney, Christopher Delbruck, CEO, E.ON Global Commodities, Mr. Rajnish Goswami, Head of Asia and Power Consulting, Wood Mackezie, Mr. Hakan Werner, Vice President – Business Development LNG, I.M. Skaugen SE, and Tracy Chambers, Vice President – Commercial, BG India.
A large number of national and international delegates from industry and consultancy firms also attended the event.