KOCHI: The Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas has approved the request of GAIL for inviting Expression of Interest (EOI) for five new natural gas pipelines including Kochi-Kanjikode- Bangalore/Mangalore pipeline.

EOIs for taking capacities in five new natural gas pipelines on `common carrier' basis will be invited in accordance with the pipeline policy soon.

The total length of these pipelines along with the three capacity augmentation lines will be around 5,000 km. And the estimated investment would be Rs.18,000 crores.

The 840-km Kochi-Kanjikode-Bangalore/Mangalore pipeline will pass through Kerala, Tamil Nadu and Karnataka and will be laid at an estimated investment of Rs.2,500 crores.

Natural gas availability in the country is set for a major change in the coming years with a substantial increase in the availability of natural gas following the recent discoveries in the country, specially on the east coast, namely, the KG and the Mahanadi basins.

Apart from expected increase in availability from indigenous sources, Petronet LNG Limited and Shell are importing LNG at their LNG re-gassification terminals on the west coast of India.

GAIL has signed a memorandum of understanding with Reliance Industries Limited (RIL) for cooperation in the gas sector, including transportation of natural gas from the various gas sources of RIL in Krishna Godavari basin through an integrated pipeline network.

The integrated gas pipeline network will also enable development of city gas distribution projects in the country.

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