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India’s Energy Innovation Gets a Boost
In a major stride toward strategic resource development, ONGC Ltd, through its research arm ONGC Energy Centre Trust (OECT), has signed a ₹394.2 million agreement with Engineers India Ltd (EIL) to establish India’s first Helium Recovery Demonstration Plant. The facility will be built at ONGC’s Kuthalam Gas Collection Station in Tamil Nadu, marking a pioneering move in domestic helium extraction from natural gas.
The agreement was finalized today and includes full-scale engineering, procurement, construction, and commissioning services. The project is expected to be completed within 18 months and will serve as a national benchmark for helium recovery technology.
Key Highlights from the Agreement
- Total agreement value: ₹394.2 million, excluding applicable GST
- Location: Kuthalam Gas Collection Station, Cauvery Asset, Tamil Nadu
- Executing agencies: ONGC Energy Centre Trust and Engineers India Ltd
- Scope includes preparation of Detailed Project Report (DPR), Basic Engineering Design Package (BEDP), and full EPCM and supply execution
- Plant capacity: 750 normal cubic meters per hour of natural gas, with operational flexibility up to 110 percent
- Technology source: CSIR–Indian Institute of Petroleum (CSIR-IIP), enabling helium recovery with 99.995 percent purity
Why Helium Recovery Matters for India
Helium is a critical industrial gas used in aerospace, semiconductor manufacturing, medical imaging, and quantum computing. India currently imports all of its helium, making this demonstration plant a strategic leap toward self-reliance.
- Global helium reserves are concentrated in the US and Qatar, making supply vulnerable to geopolitical shifts
- Domestic recovery from natural gas streams could reduce import dependency and stabilize supply chains
- The Kuthalam plant will serve as a proof-of-concept for scalable helium recovery across India’s gas assets
Technology Meets Execution: Roles of CSIR-IIP and EIL
- CSIR-IIP has developed a proprietary technology package for helium extraction from natural gas, offering high purity and efficiency
- Engineers India Ltd will oversee the full lifecycle of the project, from design and engineering to commissioning and performance testing
- The collaboration reflects a successful convergence of public sector R&D and industrial execution capabilities
ONGC’s Strategic Vision for Energy Diversification
ONGC, India’s largest oil and gas producer, is expanding its portfolio beyond hydrocarbons to include frontier technologies. Through OECT, the company is investing in:
- Hydrogen production and fuel cell technologies
- Geothermal energy exploration
- Helium recovery and other advanced gas separation processes
The Kuthalam helium plant is part of ONGC’s broader mission to lead India’s energy transition through innovation and strategic resource development.
Project Timeline and Execution Milestones
- Agreement signed: August 19, 2025
- Project duration: 18 months from date of signing
- Key deliverables: DPR, BEDP, procurement, construction, commissioning, and performance validation
- Expected commissioning: Q1 2027
Conclusion: A National First with Global Implications
The ₹394.2 million agreement between ONGC Energy Centre Trust and Engineers India Ltd marks a transformative moment in India’s energy landscape. By launching the country’s first helium recovery demonstration plant, ONGC is not only addressing a critical import dependency but also positioning India as a future leader in strategic gas technologies.
As the project unfolds, it will serve as a model for replication across other gas-rich regions, potentially unlocking new industrial capabilities and reinforcing India’s energy security.
Source: Shares Bazaar, Sarkaritel.com, DSIJ
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