2022 – The Year of GAS PIPELINE PROJECTS through HDD METHOD

A start of constructing a gas-based economy.

India is the 3rd largest energy consumer in the World. India’s economic growth is closely associated to its energy demand, where oil and gas play a pivotal role. Therefore, in the Indian context, robust growth is expected in the oil and gas sector, thereby making the sector quite attractive and conducive for investment. Oil & gas is one of the core industries in India and plays a major role in influencing decision-making for the economy, that’s why we are calling the upcoming time as a ‘Gas-based Economy’.

Within energy, natural gas remains the fuel of choice and a promising energy source because of its low emission of particulate matter, carbon dioxide, nitrous oxide and cleaner burning. The per-capita consumption of natural gas in India is only around 29 standard cubic metre (SCM) vis-a-vis the world average of 363 SCM. Considering that and its benefits, the government has time and again shown its commitment to increasing gas share in India’s primary energy mix, currently low at 6.2%, to 15% by 2030 and it has been supporting that with various policy directives and regulatory changes to reach that goal.

The recent development in the CGD sector seems significant from the automotive industry’s perspective as the sale of CNG increased in this segment. Industry statistics indicate the growth in demand for CNG cars reached an all-time high of 48% to 1.70 lakh units during FY2021. Sensing the trend, top passenger vehicle manufacturers, Maruti Suzuki and Hyundai have been pushing CNG models in the recent past. While Maruti recorded nearly 45% growth to 1.57 lakh units during last fiscal, Hyundai saw more than 100% growth registering over 23,000 units sales. On the fuel availability front, more than 1000 CNG stations were added last year, taking the total stations to over 3200 across the country in 2020-21. As per the commitment of the CGD sector, it is expected that the number of CNG retail stations will increase to 10,000 in the next 7-8 years.

City Gas Pipe Line Infrastructure Development Programme (PNGRB/MOH/MOP & NG)

Infrastructure development has also been a major focus area with gas pipeline grid being established across the country and are at various stages of completion. In February 2021, Prime Minister Mr. Narendra Modi announced that the Government plans to invest Rs. 7.5 trillion on oil and gas infrastructure in the next five years. About 35,000 km natural gas pipeline network across the country has been authorized with the aim to create a national gas grid. 20,238 km of natural gas pipelines are operational (as of September 2021) and 14,930 km are under development.

City Gas Distribution (CGD-PNGRB), MOH, GOI

The CGD aims at promoting green fuel (natural gas) like piped natural gas (PNG) for households and industries (for domestic or industrial consumption) and also compressed natural gas (CNG) used as fuel for vehicles and the automobile industry. PNGRB launched 10th CGD biding round on 6th Nov 2018 for development of City gas distribution (CGD) network for the 50 geographical areas (GAs) which includes 124 districts spread over 14 states and union territories in India. In 11th bidding round, PNGRB has successfully conducted bidding for next 65GAs dated Sept 17, 2021 for the 19 states & 1 UT to cover 215 more cities in India.

Gas pipeline infra has been developed for the 339 cities in Indian states. After the completion of gas pipeline projects (6”-24” Diameters) that will be covering 86% of the total area and 93% of the country’s population.

Gas Pipe Line Project

Share of natural gas in India’s energy basket is 6.2% as against 23.4% globally. In India, in the state of Gujarat itself, it is 25%. The country aims to achieve share of natural gas in our energy basket from 6.2% to 15%. Almost all Indian states are fully authorized for development of CGD Networks. 53% of India’s area and 70% of its population spread over 402 districts in 27 states/UTs would have access to CGD networks for supply of natural gas. Many gas companies are working to build the gas pipeline infrastructure beneath the soil with HDD method or open trenching (traditional method). Here is the list of major companies who have bagged the gas licence in 11th CGD bidding conducted by PNGRB for 65 GAS’.

Infrastructure company MEIL has bagged 15 city gas distribution (CGD) projects across nine states, bids for which were opened on Friday, according to a company statement. The Petroleum and Natural Gas Regulatory Board (PNGRB) had earlier called for the 11th round of bidding of CGD projects for 65 geographical areas (GA) across India.

Tremendous work flow has come for laying gas pipeline for developing the PNG/CNG infrastructure across India. Rs. 88,000 Cr will be invested to develop pipeline infrastructure through HDD method as well as the ‘Open Trench’ too. Demand of the HDD machines are in high tide as several leading EPC pipeline contractors are assigned huge job to develop pipeline infrastructure for more than 400 cities across India. Corrtech International, NRP Projects, JSIW, KTPL, ACE Energy, Spur Infra, KEC, Bluegrass Technologies, Trenchless Engineering, Mansi Ganga, Nandani Impex , Mega Engineering , L&T , Likhita, Krita Engineering Worli are the major EPC Pipeline contractors who are proactively taking the assignments for developing the gas pipeline infrastructure. Many New contractors have many opportunities to get into the participation.

Following are the winners of CNG/PNG license in 11th bidding conducted by PNGRB.

1   Megha Engineering 15 GA

2   Adani & Adani ventures 14 GA

3   IOCL 9 GA

4   BPCL 6 GA

5   Assam Gas Co.3 GA

6   Dinesh Engineers Ltd.4 GA

7   HPCL 1 GA

8   GAIL 1 GA

9   Think Gas 1 GA

10  IRM Energy 1 GA

11  IGL 1 GA

12  Sholagasco Pvt. Ltd 1 GA

Above are the winners of CGD gas license in 11th bidding. They have to develop main pipeline to the distribution pipe line interlinked from refinery to the cities upto the households. PNG/CNG operation activities will take place after setting up the gas grid substation and CNG pumps. Covering up the 339 cities declared till 11th bidding will be well networked with CS/MDPE pipe line across all the states in India.

Above are the Oil & Gas companies will be working on city gas distribution pipe line installation work with the help of HDD method & open trench as well depending on the circumstances. PNG & CNG pipes will be parallel laid beneath the soil upto the 20 mtrs of an average depth of 1.85 metrs to 20 meters. Powerful HDD Machines are much needed with high torque, Good hydraulic pressure, high rotation, excellent mud motor, High flow-High Pressure Mud pump are much needed to make drilling in rock. Supportive equipments like excellent Mud pump with adequate pressure and flow, High grade Mud motor, Quality Rock reamers are also required for the successful execution in a projected time.

Apollo’s A1000 (50 ton), A1200 (65 Ton), A1500 (96 ton), A2000 (120 ton), A3000 (160 ton) could be the choicest equipment options available in the market where HDD job is granted with successful execution specially in rock as world class specifications have been followed and fitted in the machine. Advance safety features have also been fitted in the machine that makes all our model outstanding in the market.

Apollo’s A1200 is a powerful Model HDD machine available in the Indian and Middle-East Market which is really equipped with world class specifications that makes machine fast and reliable even much capable to make drilling in Bhopal’s red rock where hardness is more than 250 MPA. One A1200 (Sub Contractor-Vision Infrastructure, Contractor-Ace Energy, Client-Thinkgas) is working well in front of ISBT Bhopal near to  Rani Kamlapati Railway station for 8” plus 5” CS/MDPE gas pipe line work. 800 LPM big mud pump @800 PSI Pressure generates high torque to make efficient drilling in rock. Joystick control systems & 6000 PSI operated hydraulic pumps along with the 6000 PSI rotation is found in A1200. This all makes this model unique. All the HDD processes have been observed very effective and fast due to higher side in specification. A quality HDD machine with the trained driller & Tracker is compulsory to make your pipe line installation successful. A quality mud motor along with all the site preparations are well required without delay.

A2000 is a 120 ton HDD Machine with CAT C9.3 Engine & Torque of 39477 NM with in-built pump of 200 GPM. A2000 is a powerful machine generating high thrust and torque. That’s a large size rig for bigger job specially in rock. This model may be known as a ‘Rock Master’ in coming few months due to its rock cutting ability.

A3000 is suitable model for cross Country Pipeline work. That’s a 160 Ton HDD rig with torque of 77012 NM. High torque makes this machine outstanding for high dia pipeline installation in rock as well as in the normal soil. This model has many safety features and advance control systems makes this machine outstanding.

Horizontal directional drilling is one of the most specialized methods for installing underground conduits with minimal damages to the surrounding ecosystem through trenchless methods. Rising demand for well-organized rigs in HDD projects for distant pipeline installations is propelling the growth of this segment. With the growing need for infrastructure development (CGD gas pipeline) and environment protection at the same time, trenchless technology is going to be the hot spot in the coming decade. Since many projects have released at a time so demand has come up 500% now and it would be huge in near future. Apart from high grade HDD Machines , equally needed quality toolings and other associative equipments which are needed in HDD drilling methodology. Qualified Driller & Tracker impact much on the successful execution of HDD projects.

– Safar Mohammad Khan

General Manager – HDD, Apollo Techno Industries

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