The average utilisation of gas during 1991 -92 was 30 million cubic meters a day. Of this, 36 per cent was being utilised in the fertilizer sector, 27 per cent for power generation, 8 per cent in industry, and 7 per cent in the extraction of L.P.G. (cooking gas). Out of the anticipated increase in gas production during the Eighth Plan and beyond, provisional allocations have been made for as much as 92 mil­lion cu m though this figure is higher than the anticipated availability of 85 million cu m a day by 1996-9-7.

The use of natural gas for power generation has been very limited. Only two power stations, viz Namrup (3 x 23 MW) in Assam, and Dhuvaran (2 x 27 MW) in Gujarat are based on natural gas. While former uses gas supply from Nahorkatiya and Moran fields the latter obtains natural gas from Ankleshwer and Cambay oil-fields. Ankleshwar gas is now uti­lised by the Gujarat Fertilizers Corporation, Vadodara, and a large number of industries in Vadodara indus­trial complex. South Bassein Natural gas would be utilised in two large fertilizer plants at Thalvaishit (Maharashtra) and Hazira (Gujarat). Similar plants are also being installed in U.P., M.P., and Rajasthan states based on supply from HBJ pipeline. In Assam, the expansion of the fertilizer plant at Namrup and the installation of an LPG plant at Duliajan have also been approved to utilise natural gas available in this region.

The LPG from oil refineries has become popu­lar in urban sector as domestic fuel and a number of bottling plants have been installed in the interior parts of the country to maintain the regular supply of cooking gas to the consumers.