Guwahati, (Assam) [India], February 26 (ANI): Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma on Wednesday said that Assam remains a key player in India's energy sector and is witnessing significant infrastructural advancements.

Biswa said this while attending a thematic session on 'Unlocking Assam's Energy Potential: Building Future-Ready Oil and Gas Infrastructure, Innovation, and Investment Aligned with Global Energy Transitions' at Advantage Assam 2.0 in Guwahati.

Union Minister of Petroleum and Natural Gas Hardeep Singh Puri was also present on the occasion.

This session discussed Assam's strategic initiatives in the oil and gas sector, with a special focus on energy infrastructure development, innovation, and investment opportunities in tandem with global energy shifts.

Speaking on the occasion, Chief Minister Sarma said Assam has played a pioneering role in the forward march of India's oil industry which gained momentum in the late 19th century.

'Assam remains a key player in India's energy sector, with vast hydrocarbon reserves and a skilled workforce. The State's oil and gas potential extending to neighbouring regions served as a stimulus for the development of the state,' Sarma said.

Highlighting Assam's position on India's energy map, the Chief Minister said that the state contains 12 per cent of the country's natural gas reserves and produces half of India's onshore natural gas. With four operational refineries and a combined refining capacity of 7.45 million metric tonnes (MMT), Assam ensures a consistent supply of energy to fuel the nation.

The State's retail network includes 1,180 outlets, and its annual LPG consumption stands at a significant 0.5 MMT. Major players in the petrochemical sector, such as Brahmaputra Cracker and Polymer Limited (BCPL), Assam Petro-chemicals Limited (APL), and Numaligarh Refinery Limited (NRL), also contribute substantially to state revenues, with royalties and taxes amounting to over Rs 11,700 crore annually.

Stating that the horizon for Assam's hydrocarbon sector is promising, he said that by 2030, crude oil availability is projected to double, and natural gas production is set to increase from 3.2 to 6.3 billion cubic meters (BCM).

He also spoke about developments in BCPL and NRL and the capacity expansion of the refineries that signify Assam's emergence as a petrochemical hub, fostering both industrial growth and job creation.

'Under the visionary 'Hydrocarbon Vision 2030,' Assam is witnessing significant infrastructural advancements. Projects like the Barauni-Guwahati Pipeline (BGPL) connect Assam to the national gas grid, and the 1,670 km North East Gas Grid (NEGG) promotes regional connectivity, ensuring seamless energy distribution. The City Gas Distribution (CGD) network is expanding rapidly, with 22 CNG stations across the state, promoting clean energy adoption among citizens,' he added.

Sarma also informed that Oil India Limited (OIL) has commissioned India's first Green Hydrogen plant in Jorhat, producing 10 kilograms per day using solar power. Moreover, collaborative efforts between IIT Guwahati and OIL are furthering research in this field, with plans to integrate green hydrogen into transportation and industrial sectors.

He said that Assam presents a wealth of upstream and downstream investment opportunities. The energy transition space is equally promising, with avenues in green hydrogen, green ammonia, sustainable aviation fuels, compressed biogas and smart chemicals.

He also said that Union Minister for Petroleum Hardeep Singh Puri's presence in Advantage Assam 2.0 and his enriching observation in unlocking Assam's energy potential would augur well for Assam's energy sufficiency and embolden the state in its contribution to Viksit Bharat. The Chief Minister, on the occasion, also requested the Union Minister to lend his help in the capacity expansion of Bongaigaon Refinery.

The Chief Minister, on the sideline of the session, also virtually inaugurated a number of CNG Retail projects in Kokrajhar and Amguri.

Union Minister of Petroleum and Natural Gas Puri, speaking at the session, shed light on key policy frameworks such as the Oilfield Regulation & Development Act and Open Acreage Licensing Policy.

He also reaffirmed the Government of India's commitment to further boosting the state's energy sector. He further exuded confidence that Assam would play a bigger role in the country's energy security framework. (ANI)