ONGC’s gas output this year has topped its own past records

India is looking at increasing consumption of natural gas by more than doubling its share in energy basket to 15 per cent in next few years.

Natural gas is the cleanest burning petroleum-based fuel and has wide applications — from being used to generate electricity to the running of automobiles (CNG) and firing kitchen stoves. As the world seeks a shift towards green energy, natural gas is fast emerging as a primary energy source. For India too, it is turning out to be a viable and clean alternative as the country seeks to cut its dependence on imports for meeting energy needs and also reduce greenhouse emissions. India is looking at increasing consumption of natural gas by more than doubling its share in energy basket to 15 per cent in the next few years. According to sources familiar with the development, ONGC has stepped up its efforts to increase production and make new fields operational after Prime Minister Narendra Modi set a stiff target of reducing oil import dependence by 10 per cent by 2022. India currently imports over 80 per cent of its oil needs.