The consortium led by Black & Veatch recently completed design-commissioning of LNG regasification terminal at Kamarajar Port (formerly known as Ennore Port) in Thiruvallur district on the outskirts of Chennai Tamil Nadu India. The project was awarded by Indian Oil LNG Private Limited, an IOCL joint venture company.

 

Ennore LNG terminal is the first LNG terminal on the eastern coast of India. As a result, the terminal supports the nationally strategic objective of helping diversify India’s LNG supplier base. India is the world’s fourth-largest LNG importer, hence opening-up new supply routes has significant value.

 

The terminal has a send-out capacity of 5 million metric tonnes per annum (MMTPA). IOCL awarded the engineering, procurement, construction and commissioning (EPCC) contract for regasification facilities and utilities at the terminal to a Black & Veatch led consortium.

 

The project encompassed the creation of LNG import, storage, regasification and road tanker loading infrastructure. This required expertise in both LNG handling and regasification systems, as well as designing and building the 27-megawatt captive combined heat and power plant required for the regasification process. 

 

Among the challenges faced was the timely execution of activities with various interfaces with other EPC contractors; and having to deliver large structures, and complex process plant. This required careful sequencing of work and delivery of materials and equipment. It was essential to minimise the project’s impact upon the local environment, local communities, and the operations of the port. Ennore was a significant undertaking on behalf of the project team - comprising engineers from India as well as from Black & Veatch’s Global Headquarters in Overland Park, Kansas.

 

The project was commissioned by thorough and detailed planning of all site activities and the availability and implementation of contingency plans when circumstances required. Success also demanded flexible and intelligent project execution as well as excellent cooperation with the client and project management consultant Woods.

 

Natural gas brought into India via the Ennore terminal is supporting and helping stimulate a number of sectors. Companies receiving gas imported via Ennore include Chennai Petroleum Corp, Tamil Nadu Petroproducts and Manali Petrochemicals; as well as Madras Fertilisers. The gas will also fuel IOCL’s industrial customers in Tamil Nadu, parts of Karnataka and Andhra Pradesh.