08-01-2021 | 15:26 PM
Kochi-Mangaluru Natural Gas Pipeline
Context
On January 5, Prime Minister Narendra Modi dedicated the Kochi-Mangaluru Natural Gas Pipeline to the nation via video conferencing.
Key Highlights
GAIL (India) Ltd built the Kochi-Mangaluru Natural Gas Pipeline.
The Kochi-Mangaluru Natural Gas pipeline is 450 kilometres long.
The pipeline has a transportation capacity of 12 million standard cubic meters per day.
It will carry natural gas from the liquefied natural gas (LNG) regassification terminal at Kochi to Mangaluru.
In its way it will pass through the districts of Ernakulam, Palakkad, Thrissur, Malappuram, Kannur, Kozhikode and Kasaragod.
The main junction of the pipeline is at Koottanad. At the junction, the pipeline bifurcates towards Bengaluru and Mangaluru.
The transportation capacity of Kochi-Mangaluru Natural Gas Pipeline is 12 million metric standard cubic metres per day.
The gas demand of 80 to 90 million cubic metres of gas per annum is expected to be met by the pipeline.
Laying of the pipeline was an engineering challenge as the route of the pipeline necessitated it to intersect water bodies at more than 100 locations. This was done through a special technique called horizontal directional drilling method.
Horizontal directional drilling method is used for long distances such as under the rivers, lagoons or highly urbanized areas.
The horizontal directional drilling method involves three main stages, which are: drilling a pilot hole, enlarging the pilot hole, full back installation of the carrier pipe.
The key benefit of this method is the combination of speed and reliability with the minimal environmental impact in installation.
The pipeline will supply environment friendly and affordable fuel to households, transportation sector and to commercial and industrial units across the districts along the pipeline.
Governors and Chief Ministers of Karnataka and Kerala, along with Union Minister for Petroleum and Natural Gas will also be present on the occasion.
Significance of the project
The event marks an important milestone towards the creation of ‘One Nation One Gas Grid’.
The pipeline will supply environment-friendly and affordable fuel in the form of Piped Natural Gas (PNG) to households and Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) to the transportation sector.
The pipeline will also supply Natural Gas to commercial and industrial units across the districts along the pipeline.
Consumption of cleaner fuel will help in improving air quality by curtailing air pollution.
