ONGC Energy Centre Trust, the research and development arm of Oil and Natural Gas Corporation Ltd (ONGC), has signed an agreement with Engineers India Ltd (EIL) to establish a Helium Recovery Demonstration Plant at ONGC’s Kuthalam Gas Collection Station in Nagapattinam district, Tamil Nadu.
The agreement is valued at ₹39.42 crore, excluding applicable GST. The project is based on a technology package developed by the Council of Scientific and Industrial Research – Indian Institute of Petroleum (CSIR-IIP) and is aimed at recovering Grade-A helium with a purity of 99.995% from natural gas.
Helium is widely used in sectors such as space exploration, semiconductor production, cryogenics, and fibre optics. India currently depends on imports to meet its helium needs. Setting up a domestic production facility is seen as an important step toward strengthening the country’s energy independence and technological capabilities.
The demonstration plant will have the capacity to process 750 Nm³/hour of natural gas, with the flexibility to operate at up to 110% of its design capacity. The project is expected to be completed within 18 months.
This initiative supports the national objective of building self-reliance in critical technologies, aligned with the government’s vision of ‘Atmanirbhar Bharat’. The partnership between ONGC Energy Centre and Engineers India brings together research-driven innovation and industrial project execution, paving the way for India’s first indigenous helium recovery facility.
Oil and Natural Gas Corporation (ONGC) is India’s largest state-owned oil and gas exploration and production company, playing a pivotal role in the country’s energy security. Established in 1956, ONGC is a Maharatna PSU under the Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas and is recognized globally for its extensive operations, which span across exploration, production, refining, and petrochemicals.
It is a major contributor to India’s crude oil and natural gas output, meeting a significant share of the nation’s energy needs. With a focus on innovation and sustainability, ONGC is also expanding its presence in renewable energy and downstream integration. The company’s robust financial performance, diverse portfolio, and strategic investments make it a cornerstone of India’s energy sector.
