Petronet LNG Ltd
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Petronet LNG Ltd
NSE:PETRONET
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Price: 270.2 INR 0.35%
Market Cap: 405.3B INR

Q1-2026 Earnings Call

AI Summary
Earnings Call on Jul 28, 2025

Profit Decline: Profit before tax and PAT both fell compared to the previous quarter and the year-ago quarter, with PAT at INR 851 crores.

Operational Growth: Dahej terminal volumes rose 10% QoQ and overall volumes increased 7% QoQ amid stable LNG prices and better utilization.

Major Expansion: Board approved INR 6,355 crores investment in a new 5 MMTPA land-based LNG terminal at Gopalpur Port, Odisha.

CapEx Plans: Total CapEx program of INR 30,000 crores lined up, mainly for petchem and infrastructure; INR 5,000 crores targeted this year.

Stable LNG Prices: Management noted subdued oil-linked LNG prices and a stable, range-bound spot LNG market.

Demand Outlook: Lower demand from power and fertilizer sectors weighed on volumes YoY, but management expects long-term demand to recover as new infrastructure comes online.

Pipeline Projects: Progress continues at Dahej and Kochi with capacity and connectivity expansions, though some delays due to monsoon and security concerns.

New Contracts: Long-term supply agreements (e.g., Deepak Fertilisers) and upcoming volume from Gorgon Phase 2 are expected to support future growth.

Financial Performance

The company reported a decline in profit before tax and PAT compared to both the previous quarter and the same quarter last year. Management highlighted that despite the drop, operational metrics improved quarter-on-quarter, reflecting resilience in a volatile energy market.

LNG Volumes & Terminal Utilization

Dahej terminal’s processed volume grew 10% quarter-on-quarter to 207 TBTU, and overall volumes rose 7% to 220 TBTU. However, volumes were lower than last year's levels due to soft demand from the power and fertilizer sectors. Kochi terminal utilization remained low, mainly awaiting pipeline connectivity, but is expected to improve once the pipeline is operational.

Market Conditions & Pricing

Management described global LNG pricing as stable, with oil-linked long-term contract prices subdued and spot price volatility contained. The gap between spot and long-term prices was cited as a reason for current demand weakness, but a large supply of new global capacity is expected to keep prices affordable in future.

Strategic Expansion & CapEx

Petronet LNG has planned significant capital expenditure, including INR 6,355 crores for a greenfield 5 MMTPA Gopalpur terminal and a total CapEx of INR 30,000 crores mainly for petchem and infrastructure. The company is also expanding Dahej from 17.5 MMTPA to 22.5 MMTPA, and working on a third jetty and other facilities. CapEx for the current year is targeted at INR 5,000 crores, with higher spending expected next year.

New Contracts & Supply Agreements

A new long-term agreement was signed with Deepak Fertilisers starting July 2026, with potential to supply up to 1.5 million tonnes. Gorgon Phase 2 contract is set to begin by the end of the financial year, initially at 0.5 MMTPA for two years ramping up to 1.2 MMTPA. Ongoing discussions continue for downstream agreements for the Qatar extension.

Demand Trends & Outlook

While demand from power and fertilizer sectors was weak this quarter, management expects long-term demand growth driven by increasing infrastructure and new supply. They project India's LNG demand to more than double by 2028–2030, citing upcoming global liquefaction capacity and expanded domestic pipeline networks.

Project Progress & Infrastructure

Work on major projects like the Dahej regasification expansion, third jetty (targeted for 2027), and the Gopalpur terminal is ongoing, although some delays were noted due to monsoon and security concerns. The Kochi terminal’s utilization is expected to rise after pipeline connectivity is established later this year or next.

Accounting & Cash Flow Practices

The company clarified its provisioning policy for 'use or pay' dues, where provisions are made over three years as a non-cash accounting entry. Past dues have been received as expected. Inventory gain in the quarter was INR 42 crores, with no trading gain reported.

Profit Before Tax
INR 1,136 crores
Change: Down from INR 1,446 crores in previous quarter and INR 1,520 crores in Q1 last year.
PAT
INR 851 crores
Change: Down from INR 1,070 crores in previous quarter and INR 1,142 crores in Q1 last year.
Net Worth
INR 20,233 crores
Change: Up from INR 19,382 crores as of 31st March 2025.
Dahej Terminal Volume
207 TBTU
Change: Up 10% compared to 189 TBTU in previous quarter; down from 248 TBTU YoY.
Total Volume Processed
220 TBTU
Change: Up 7% compared to 205 TBTU in previous quarter; down from 262 TBTU YoY.
Inventory Gain
INR 42 crores
No Additional Information
Regasification Contribution
INR 643 crores
No Additional Information
Petchem Spend (YTD)
INR 500 crores
No Additional Information
CapEx Program
INR 30,000 crores
No Additional Information
CapEx Target FY26
INR 5,000 crores
No Additional Information
Gopalpur Terminal Investment
INR 6,355 crores
No Additional Information
Profit Before Tax
INR 1,136 crores
Change: Down from INR 1,446 crores in previous quarter and INR 1,520 crores in Q1 last year.
PAT
INR 851 crores
Change: Down from INR 1,070 crores in previous quarter and INR 1,142 crores in Q1 last year.
Net Worth
INR 20,233 crores
Change: Up from INR 19,382 crores as of 31st March 2025.
Dahej Terminal Volume
207 TBTU
Change: Up 10% compared to 189 TBTU in previous quarter; down from 248 TBTU YoY.
Total Volume Processed
220 TBTU
Change: Up 7% compared to 205 TBTU in previous quarter; down from 262 TBTU YoY.
Inventory Gain
INR 42 crores
No Additional Information
Regasification Contribution
INR 643 crores
No Additional Information
Petchem Spend (YTD)
INR 500 crores
No Additional Information
CapEx Program
INR 30,000 crores
No Additional Information
CapEx Target FY26
INR 5,000 crores
No Additional Information
Gopalpur Terminal Investment
INR 6,355 crores
No Additional Information

Earnings Call Transcript

Transcript
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Operator

Ladies and gentlemen, good day, and welcome to Petronet LNG Q1 FY '26 Earnings Call. [Operator Instructions].

I now hand the conference over to Mr. Probal Sen. Thank you, and over to you, sir.

P
Probal Sen
analyst

Thank you very much, Bhavya. This is Probal from ICICI Securities. We welcome you all to the post Q1 FY '26 call of Petronet LNG Limited. We have with us senior members from Petronet LNG's management, including Mr. Saurav Mitra, the Director of Finance and CFO; Mr. Rakesh Chawla, GGM and President, F&A; Mr. Gyanendra Kumar Sharma, GGM and President, Marketing; Mr. Vivek Mittal, CGM and VP Marketing; Mr. Debabrata Satpathy, General Manager, F&A; and Mr. Vikash Maheshwari, Deputy General Manager, F&A.

We would initially start with opening remarks by the management, then on to the Q&A. So without further ado, I would hand it over to the management. Over to you, sir.

S
Saurav Mitra
executive

Yes. Good morning, and thank you, Mr. Probal. Good morning to you all. As compared to the previous quarter, Q1 FY '25-'26 has been a good quarter for us in terms of operational performance.

Delving on the financial highlights, I would say that profit before tax stood at INR 1,136 crores compared to INR 1,446 crores in the previous quarter and INR 1,520 crores in quarter 1 of the previous financial year. PAT stood at INR 851 crores compared to INR 1,070 crores in the previous quarter and INR 1,142 crores in quarter 1 of the previous financial year. A major highlight is that net worth crossed INR 20,000 crores, reaching to INR 20,233 crores as of 30th June, up from INR 19,382 crores as on 31st March 2025.

In terms of LNG volumes, Dahej terminal, our flagship terminal, processed 207 TBTU, registering a growth of 10% compared to 189 TBTU in the previous quarter. The volume processed in Q1 of the previous financial year was 248 TBTU. Overall volume processed during the quarter was 220 TBTU, registering a growth of 7% compared to 205 TBTU in the previous quarter. The volume processed in Q1 of the previous financial year was 262 TBTU.

The throughput improved compared to previous quarter due to stable LNG prices, efficient operations and higher capacity utilization. The sequential growth demonstrates resilience in a volatile energy market. We are pleased to announce that the Board of Directors has, in principle, approved an enhanced investment of INR 6,355 crores for setting up a 5 MMTPA land-based LNG terminal at Gopalpur Port, Odisha, marking our first greenfield LNG project on India's East Coast, transitioning from the earlier 4 MMTPA FSRU-based plan with financing through debt and equity and a targeted completion time line of approximately 3 years. PLL had also issued a request for proposal for financing rupee term loan of INR 12,000 crores for financing the CapEx program.

We remain committed to strategic capacity expansion, rigorous cost optimization and market-aligned growth. By harnessing our operational excellence and advancing key projects, we are well positioned to sustain and strengthen our leadership in India's LNG sector, delivering long-term value to all our stakeholders. Thank you.

So I would now request the Q&A to start.

Operator

[Operator Instructions] The first question is from the line of Param Vora from Trinetra Asset Managers.

P
Param Vora
analyst

So what I wanted to ask was that how is the company managing global LNG price volatility and geopolitical risk, especially in terms of long-term supply contracts?

S
Saurav Mitra
executive

So I would request Mr. Vivek Mittal to briefly answer to this query.

V
Vivek Mittal
executive

Thank you, sir. So of course, our contracts are linked to oil prices. So oil prices have not been very volatile. In fact, they have been subdued. So they are holding in the range of $65 to $70. So we don't see any risk or any challenge from the geopolitical side. Of course, the spot prices have been slightly volatile, but it's still range bound.

G
G. Sharma
executive

I think if you see spot prices though, as compared to the alternate fuel, might be on upper side. But still, we would say they are not hovering somewhere which we witnessed 2 years back. So the LNG market is quite stable now.

V
Vivek Mittal
executive

There are no challenges from that side.

P
Param Vora
analyst

Okay. And as sales growth has been soft over the past 5 years, what are the new strategies being implemented to reignite the top line growth?

S
Saurav Mitra
executive

The demand is a function of various sectors. So this quarter, if you look at, there was low demand from power sector and fertilizer sector compared to the Q1 of FY '24. So that's the reason we see a decline in demand in this quarter. But otherwise, if you look at our previous quarters, the demand has been pretty stable and robust. Overall, we processed 251 TBTU -- sorry, 220 TBTU this quarter compared to 205 TBTU in the previous quarter.

Operator

The next question is from the line of Maulik Patel from Equirus.

M
Maulik Patel
analyst

A couple of questions. One on the recent agreement you signed with Deepak Fertilisers for about 26 TBTU or approximately 1.1 million tonnes. Can you just tell the start date? And you mentioned that also 20% additional revenue option is there. So please, I mean, just detail that. And within that, is the pricing or the regas tariff is similar to what currently the customers are paying?

S
Saurav Mitra
executive

So the pricing is absolutely the same, what we charge under our other long-term agreement. And the volume is minimum 0.5 million tonnes, starting somewhere between May to -- I think the press release was very clear, so between July 2026. And there is a potential for another 20%, which means depending on how much volume they get from supplier, it can go up to [ 1.5 ] million tonnes, roughly.

M
Maulik Patel
analyst

Got it. Got it. And we understand that GAIL has been working their Dabhol unit in this monsoon. Historically, you've been getting around 1 million tonne kind of additional volume during the monsoon months when Dabhol doesn't work. Do you think that can continue? Or it was just only in June they got some volume, and July they are back to Dahej? Vivek, if you have any thoughts on that side?

V
Vivek Mittal
executive

See, this may be a cyclical or maybe temporary phenomenon. Otherwise, Indian market, the way gas market is growing, there is enough -- ample opportunity for every one of us. And that's the reason we are expanding our terminal. And you would have seen the recent contract which we have done with DFPCL Group Company. So Dahej is a preferred terminal considering multiple factors. It has the connectivity, the storage capability and all.

M
Maulik Patel
analyst

No, no sir, my question is that will this 1 million tonne this year, it will not be there? Or do you think it will be some 0.6 million tonne, 0.5 million tonne, 0.4 million tonne will come this year?

S
Saurav Mitra
executive

See, market demand is growing. India's demand is bound to grow and it is growing also. So we don't see a new terminal coming up for expansion or running of Dabhol around the year makes any significant difference to operations of Dahej terminal.

M
Maulik Patel
analyst

Okay. And sir, the last question. Any update on the Qatar extension? Have you signed anything with offtakers? And what is the progress and update on that side?

S
Saurav Mitra
executive

See, as we mentioned last time also, the deal we have signed with Qatar is based on the assurance that the volume will be offtaken by GAIL, IOC, BPCL in a predetermined ratio. So that commitment still holds. The downstream agreements are being worked upon. We are trying to find what is the best and optimal solution to sell these volumes. So those discussions are ongoing.

M
Maulik Patel
analyst

Any time line to that?

S
Saurav Mitra
executive

Not at this point of time. We cannot...

Operator

[Operator Instructions] The next question is from the line of S. Ramesh from Nirmal Bang Equities.

S
S. Ramesh
analyst

Yes. So the first thought is on the slowdown we saw in the first quarter. So how is the demand from the fertilizer and power sector for this quarter? And how do you see the trending demand for FY '26, given that there seems to be a slowdown in the overall gas demand, particularly because of the competition from alternative fuels?

S
Saurav Mitra
executive

So Debabrata Satpathy would answer this question.

D
Debabrata Satpathy
executive

Yes. Mr. Ramesh, so your question was on the competitive fuels, basically how the demand scenario would be?

S
S. Ramesh
analyst

Yes. That and how do you see the demand for this quarter? Because last quarter was down compared to the year ago quarter. How do you see the consumption growth in this quarter compared to the year-ago quarter?

D
Debabrata Satpathy
executive

Yes. So basically, the demand from the last quarter, as you see, it has started recovering. The overall throughput from our Dahej terminal has been 10% higher than the last quarter. And at an overall level, the company has done 7% higher.

The thing is that although the long-term prices -- as it has been told already, the long-term prices that are crude-linked, that are remaining at a very, very affordable level for the Indian market. That long-term throughput has also gone up. And there is still a difference between the long term and the spot prices. Actually, that is dragging the overall demand as per the market scenario right now.

So what we foresee is that in the current year, probably that kind of difference could linger on for some time. But from the next year onwards, from CY '26 onwards, with the availability of ample of gas in the -- LNG in the global market, basically, that issue will also be sorted out. That is what we are looking at.

S
S. Ramesh
analyst

Okay. So the next thought is, can you give us the details of the inventory and trading impact, if any, and the regas tariff?

D
Debabrata Satpathy
executive

The inventory gain was INR 42 crores in this quarter. And trading gain -- because of the current market pricing scenario, the trading gain was not there.

S
S. Ramesh
analyst

And what about the regasification contribution?

D
Debabrata Satpathy
executive

It is INR 643 crores.

S
S. Ramesh
analyst

INR 645 crores.

D
Debabrata Satpathy
executive

INR 643 crores.

Operator

The next question is from the line of Varatharajan Sivasankaran from Antique Limited.

V
Varatharajan Sivasankaran
analyst

So the Kochi terminal utilization seems to have come down a little bit. Any specific reason for that?

D
Debabrata Satpathy
executive

It's a common phenomenon for the last quite a few quarters, as you have seen. And what we have been telling all this while is that Kochi, we are expecting the utilization to go up once the pipeline connectivity is set up. And we expect that by the end of this calendar year or maybe at the most by the end of this financial year, the pipeline is going to come up, which is being laid by GAIL. And once this connectivity is set up, the utilization is going to go up.

V
Varatharajan Sivasankaran
analyst

And currently, like would you be in a position to give us who's taking what from which terminal?

D
Debabrata Satpathy
executive

Sorry?

V
Varatharajan Sivasankaran
analyst

Currently, like can we have a share of who's taking what from Kochi terminal, MRPL, or BPCL? What kind of volumes they are taking?

D
Debabrata Satpathy
executive

Okay. So I would say, major offtaker is obviously BPCL from Kochi. And to supplement my answer, I would request Mr. Gyanendra Sharma to carry on with this conversation.

G
G. Sharma
executive

At Kochi, as Deb sir informed, major is BPCL, it consumes its refinery as well as it has its customers. And others, GAIL and IOCL are also providing gas supply to fertilizer and refinery.

V
Varatharajan Sivasankaran
analyst

Any volume details you are in a position to share?

D
Debabrata Satpathy
executive

Because they are not our direct customers, it won't be appropriate for us to speak on behalf of our offtakers.

G
G. Sharma
executive

The only thing we can add is that this quarter, FSCT took a shutdown for almost 1.5 months. So that's the reason you see some decline in the volumes. They consume around 1 MMSCMD. So there was a small decline on account of that. But that was the same case in the last year's first quarter also. So compared to last year first quarter, the volumes are quite similar.

Operator

[Operator Instructions] The next question is from the line of Sabri Hazarika from Emkay Global.

S
Sabri Hazarika
analyst

Yes. So 2 questions. Firstly, on this Gopalpur terminal, is there a minimum offtake kind of an assumption also before going ahead with it? Or even if it doesn't happen, you'll start construction. Because you've given a 3 years' time line, so would you start work right away or probably get some offtake first?

G
G. Sharma
executive

So definitely, discussions are on with the probable offtakers. And they are -- the major offtakers will be our promoters only. But we will not wait for finalization of the offtake agreements because that will delay our project. So simultaneously, we will start construction of the terminal and at the same time have, parallelly, discussions with our offtakers.

S
Sabri Hazarika
analyst

Okay. Fair enough. And second question is on this Gorgon Phase 2 volume. So when is it starting? And how much would be the volumes?

V
Vivek Mittal
executive

This is likely to start towards end of this financial year. And 1.2 MMTPA is the contract and initially, it will be 0.5 MMTPA.

S
Sabri Hazarika
analyst

That will be for how long?

V
Vivek Mittal
executive

15 years.

S
Sabri Hazarika
analyst

No, 0.5 MMTPA will be for how long?

V
Vivek Mittal
executive

For 2 years.

S
Sabri Hazarika
analyst

Then it will ramp up to 1.2 MMTPA?

V
Vivek Mittal
executive

That's right.

Operator

[Operator Instructions] The next question is from the line of Tanay Kotecha from Nuvama.

T
Tanay Kotecha
analyst

I just wanted to get a refresher regarding your accounting policy for the provisioning part on the UOP dues.

S
Saurav Mitra
executive

So Chawla ji, if you can please...

R
Rakesh Chawla
executive

See, as you know, this use or pay dues are part of the contractual obligation by the offtakers. So this is being recognized. However, as a prudent accounting practice, provisioning is being done. So what we are doing is first year of -- when the amount is not paid, we are making 20% provision and next year 30%, making it cumulatively 50%. And then the third year, where this flexibility period is over, we are making the balance provision of 50%. So making it cumulatively 100% in 3 years. This is as per the prudent accounting practice we are following.

And as you know, calendar year '21 use or pay amount was received by us in last year. So ultimately, this provision is only accounting practice. Company is already confident that this is contractual dues and we are likely to get full money, or during this flexibility period, if somebody wants to bring volume, they are getting. We have already received the full money or the volume whatever the offtakers like, because INR 360 crores and odd was paid by the offtakers.

Operator

The next question is from the line of S. Ramesh from Nirmal Bang Equities.

S
S. Ramesh
analyst

Thank you for the follow-up. So when you discussed this additional volume, discussed with Gorgon, the initial Phase 1 was about 2.5 MMTPA to 2.6 MMTPA, if I understand correctly, right? And that has to be taken in Kochi. So if you take this 1.2 MMTPA Phase 2, overall, you've got an aggregate gas supply arrangement with Gorgon about 3.5 MMTPA to 3.7 MMTPA. Is that understanding correct?

G
G. Sharma
executive

No, no, no. I don't think your understanding is correct. It is very clear the contract is for 1.2 million metric ton per annum, and it's going to commence from 2026. It will go on till 2036.

R
Rakesh Chawla
executive

And the existing contract is for 1.42 million tonnes.

S
S. Ramesh
analyst

Yes, that's what I meant. So that means...

R
Rakesh Chawla
executive

It's around 2.6 MMTPA, yes.

S
S. Ramesh
analyst

Yes, 2.6 MMTPA. So that means Kochi has the potential to process 2.6 MMTPA once the pipeline is connected, right?

G
G. Sharma
executive

The potential is much more. It's a 5 million metric ton per annum terminal.

S
S. Ramesh
analyst

I understand that. But in terms of the gas supply sourcing arrangement, you can go up to 2.6 MMTPA. And for the rest, you have to...

G
G. Sharma
executive

Yes. So far as long-term contracts are concerned, you are correct, it's about 2.63 MMTPA.

S
S. Ramesh
analyst

Yes. Sir, on this accounting which you explained, so whatever provision you're making, right now it will be actually treated as cash outflow, right, in terms of cash flow? And then when it is over, it will come back as cash inflow? Or it's just a noncash entry? How do we see the cash flow impact for these provisions?

R
Rakesh Chawla
executive

See, the accounting provision is a noncash flow entry because already we have recognized the income in our books. So this is a provision only. This is not a cash outflow type of thing.

Operator

The next question is from the line of Kirtan Mehta from Baroda BNP Paribas Mutual Fund.

K
Kirtan Mehta
analyst

Could you update us on the status of expansion at Dahej from 17.5 MMTPA to 22.5 MMTPA. Also highlight the tank that we have commissioned, how was it utilized during the quarter? And what was its contribution to the margin? And in terms of the Jetty, where are we at this point of time?

S
Saurav Mitra
executive

Okay. So I'll start in a reverse manner. The Jetty construction is going on as per the schedule. And so far as the regas expansion capacity is concerned, there were some slippages because of the monsoon and as well as the war-like situation which had emerged. And because of that, there were enhanced security concerns from both the government side as well as from our side. So it has slightly impacted the construction work, but we don't see much of a delay. So by end of this calendar year, we should be able to complete the construction and start the commissioning exercise. And by Q1 of next calendar year, we should have a stable enhanced capacity terminal working.

K
Kirtan Mehta
analyst

Right. What is the target timeline for Dahej Jetty at this point of time?

R
Rakesh Chawla
executive

Total construction? The third jetty you're talking about? 2027. And as you know, it will be capable of handling LNG, ethane and propane from 2027.

K
Kirtan Mehta
analyst

Right. And how was the completion of tank utilized during the quarter? What was its contribution to profitability? We were expecting some trading volume out of that.

R
Rakesh Chawla
executive

See, the tank is only a support system to the regasification facility. So once the regasification facility comes on stream, then only we can say that how much additionally we have been able to utilize. But tanks have overall added to the flexibility, which we provide to our capacity holders on the volumes we bring in.

K
Kirtan Mehta
analyst

Sure, sir. Could you also highlight the developments on the PDH-PP project implementation?

S
Saurav Mitra
executive

Yes. Again, I would like to state that the work is going on full steam and it is on track. So we expect this plant to come up as per schedule.

K
Kirtan Mehta
analyst

Any more granularity would you be able to share in terms of the particular milestones that we have achieved during the quarter? And what are the target milestones for the Q2?

S
Saurav Mitra
executive

Okay. So we have actually placed almost -- out of the 11 LLIs and 13 packages, we have almost floated tenders of all the packages and LLIs except a few where we feel that time is not yet right enough. And we have also awarded a few critical long lead item orders. So that's where as of now we stand today.

Operator

[Operator Instructions] The next question is from the line of Somaiah from Avendus Spark.

S
Somaiah Valliyappan
analyst

I missed the initial part of the call. Sorry in case the question is repeated. Sir, the CapEx outlook for the next couple of years, how much...

Operator

Sorry to interrupt, sir. Sir, your audio quality is not clear.

S
Somaiah Valliyappan
analyst

Yes, I hope it's better now. I just wanted to understand the CapEx outlook for the next couple of years. And also what is the amount that we have spent on petchem so far? And how we plan to space the petchem spend over the next 2, 3 years? That's the first question.

S
Saurav Mitra
executive

Okay. If you talk about this quarter, the petchem spend is around INR 500 crores up till date. And going forward, we have lined up a CapEx program of around INR 30,000 crores and out of which the major share or the lion's share is allocated to the petchem plant only. And that is what I think I can share as of now.

S
Somaiah Valliyappan
analyst

Sir, the plans for current year and next year, sir, in terms of what will be the CapEx?

S
Saurav Mitra
executive

So this year, we have targeted a CapEx of around INR 5,000 crores.

S
Somaiah Valliyappan
analyst

And this will be majorly for petchem, sir?

S
Saurav Mitra
executive

It will be for the third Jetty, for petchem, and also some of the other projects that we have taken up. Like we have got the in-principle approval of Gopalpur terminal. So there we'll be spending around -- we plan to spend around INR 300 crores on that. And then we have a corporate office building in Nauroji Nagar coming up. So we plan to spend about INR 100 crores there.

Then CBG plants, we have been mandated by the Ministry to put up around 25 CBG plants. So we have plans to spend around INR 100-odd crores there. And there are other small items like small-scale LNG and LNG bunkering facility at Kochi. So these are the major items which I can spell out right now.

S
Somaiah Valliyappan
analyst

Understood, sir. So we should expect a similar run rate next year also -- in FY '27 also, INR 5,000 crores?

S
Saurav Mitra
executive

It's going to be even higher. It's going to be even higher. And that's precisely the reason we have floated this RFP for rupee term loan of INR 12,000 crores.

S
Somaiah Valliyappan
analyst

Understood, sir. You mentioned this quarter, we have spent INR 500 crores on petchem. So cumulatively, so far, what would be the spend on petchem till date?

S
Saurav Mitra
executive

So that's what I'm telling. Till the end of this quarter, the cumulative spend is around INR 500 crores.

S
Somaiah Valliyappan
analyst

Got it, sir. So second question on the Gopalpur terminal, that is earlier thought of an FSRU now to a land-based and also 4 MMT to 5 MMT. If you could just help us with the broad thought process, what led to a change here? That is one. And second, also if you could help us understand the pipeline connectivity in and around the plant facility. So do we have already pipelines in place for offtake or we are waiting for some more connectivity there?

S
Saurav Mitra
executive

Okay. So Gopalpur, first, I would like to say that Gopalpur is away from a major trunk pipeline by about 35-odd kilometers. And once we put up this pipeline and connect it to the trunk pipeline, our offtake will not be an issue. And secondly, the shifting of plan from FSRU to land-based terminal makes sense because we have observed that the cost of a floating vessel-based terminal has gone up by a huge amount. And the savings in OpEx that we will make if we go for a land-based terminal, it makes sense definitely for us to take a decision in favor of shifting from an FSRU to a land-based terminal.

S
Somaiah Valliyappan
analyst

Got it, sir. Sir, you mentioned 35 kilometers we can get connected to that main trunk pipeline. So that trunk pipeline, which are the areas that it is getting connected to. I just want to understand which will be the potential set of customers, larger customers like refineries or steel plants, or where will we...

S
Saurav Mitra
executive

Actually, see, GAIL has already one pipeline from Srikakulam to Angul, Angul-Srikakulam, yes, pipeline is already there. So from Gopalpur, if we set up this pipeline and connect it to this main trunk pipeline of GAIL, we will have access to North, whereby we'll be connected to the National Gas Grid, and we can reach up to the Northeast in Bihar, West Bengal, Jharkhand, entire area will come under our hinterland.

And down south also, the pipeline can cater to -- if it is further extended up to Vizag, it will cater to the refinery and then some of the big steel plants and aluminum plants of Hindalco that's already there. So they could be the major consumption centers for our terminal.

S
Somaiah Valliyappan
analyst

Got it, sir. And what would be the breakeven utilization for this [indiscernible] facility?

S
Saurav Mitra
executive

Okay. So it's going to be -- if you see, except Dahej, none of our terminals in India are operating at more than 50% right now. But yes, going forward, we foresee a growth of around 6% to 7% in the gas consumption. So maybe once this comes up after 3 years, 3.5 years, because we have projected this 3 years' timeline from the date of getting our EC, and we are expecting this EC in a couple of months' time. So once this comes up, maybe from CY '28-'29, we'll start with a capacity of 20% utilization and then slowly, we'll ramp it up to around 80% to 90%.

S
Somaiah Valliyappan
analyst

Okay. Sir, one last question. The trading gains and inventory impact in the current quarter?

D
Debabrata Satpathy
executive

Inventory gain was INR 42 crores, and there was no trading gain.

Operator

[Operator Instructions].

P
Probal Sen
analyst

Yes, while the queue assembles, this is Probal here, sir, if I can just have a couple of questions. One was on the broader LNG market that we see at this point of time. We've been hearing about the kind of capacities that are coming up globally in terms of liquefaction, and obviously, Indian players have also tied up a lot of capacities for offtake. So how do we see the market evolving for Indian customers? What kind of mix do you see between long term and short term? And what kind of pricing scenario do you see?

S
Saurav Mitra
executive

Thank you. I think you have asked a very valid question. If you see in the next 3 to 4 years, around 180 MMTPA capacity is going to be online, LNG supply side. And the major markets targeted, India will be one of them, because we know Europe and Japan are quite saturated. India, China are going to take this major capacities. Considering that lot of supply is coming in, the prices are expected to be more comfortable or more affordable, meaning by the demands, we'll catch up.

So India's the projection, max by 2028 to '30, the LNG consumption is expected to be more than double, okay? And that to crux, India needs to keep up pace with the infrastructure. It should not so happen that prices are affordable and India is lacking the import infrastructure. And that's the reason one of the key PLL is coming up with Gopalpur. And at the right time, around '28, the terminal will be available online. And as you know, multiple pipelines are coming; Nagpur to Jharsuguda; Angul-Srikakulam; JHBDPL is already there; Northeast grid is getting completed. So the major demand center, the maximum growth center, I would say, will be that part of Eastern coast of India. And PLL will be ready to take care of that supply.

P
Probal Sen
analyst

Right, sir. Moderator, can we take one last question?

Operator

All right. The next question is from the line of Mayank from Morgan Stanley.

M
Mayank Maheshwari
analyst

I didn't join the entire call. I think there were some logistical issues. I just had a question around the terminal that you were just talking about. If you think about it from a perspective of single nation, single grid that PNGRB has been talking about, how do you see this terminal kind of playing out for you? Could it be the next Dahej for you? Or could it be even bigger? How should we think about that?

G
G. Sharma
executive

You have rightly answered, it will be next Dahej. As I told just a couple of minutes back, the kind of pipeline network coming up there, it will be just parallel to what Dahej has presently pipeline we have here, and similar kind of connectivity Gopalpur is expected to have. And the kind of demand, if we see, till now, the western part of country was like growing gas consumption. And as we know, Gujarat more than the global average, 24%, 25%, it is now time for Eastern part of the country, number one.

Number two, if you see the demand to be catered from Central part of India to the Eastern part of India, need to have a proper distribution of regas terminal, so that the pipeline hydraulics is maintained. Also for the energy security point of view of the country, it is very important to have diversified portfolio of terminals. So I hope this is likely to be next Dahej.

M
Mayank Maheshwari
analyst

Sir, just a follow-up on that, if I may. Because Dahej has a very big advantage of being the first mover and lower CapEx per unit. Do you see that advantage still remaining with Gopalpur? Or do you think -- because there are certain terminals which are already on the Eastern Coast, do you think that will be something there will be a bit of a competition that you have to worry about?

S
Saurav Mitra
executive

We are not bothered about competition. See, had it been so, then we would not have taken this call on Gopalpur. And PLL has some inherent advantages in terms of our experience of handling regas terminals for so many years, number one. And number two, we can also offer swapping of cargoes then to our offtakers from West Coast to East Coast.

And then another point which Mr. Sharma has spoken about is very important. It's that pipeline hydraulics. So, so far as pipeline network hydraulics is concerned, it will give us an advantage to have Gopalpur terminal in place, because there's a lot of industries coming up as well as operating nearby, which is definitely going to help this terminal to fare better in the coming years despite having some other terminals nearby.

Operator

Ladies and gentlemen, this was the last question. I now hand the conference over to Mr. Probal Sen for the closing comments. Thank you, and over to you, sir.

P
Probal Sen
analyst

Thank you, Bhavya. Thanks so much for everyone taking the time to attend the call. I would invite the management if they have any closing comments.

S
Saurav Mitra
executive

Thank you, and we hope to meet again soon with some more encouraging results. Thank you.

P
Probal Sen
analyst

Thank you very much, sir. Thank you, everyone. We can now log off from the call. Thank you.

Operator

Thank you. On behalf of Petronet LNG Limited, that concludes this conference. Thank you for joining us, and you may now disconnect your lines.

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