ONGC Energy Centre Trust and EIL to establish India’s first Helium
Recovery Demonstration Plant in Tamil Nadu worth ₹39.42 crore.
New
Delhi: ONGC Energy
Centre Trust (OECT), the R&D arm of Oil and Natural Gas Corporation Limited
(ONGC), has signed an agreement with Engineers India Limited (EIL) for setting
up a Helium Recovery Demonstration Plant at ONGC’s Kuthalam Gas Collection
Station in Cauvery Asset, Tamil Nadu. The agreement, valued at ₹39.42 crore
(plus applicable GST), was formalized on August 18, 2025, with project
completion targeted within 18 months.
The scope of work includes preparation
of the Detailed Project Report (DPR), Basic Engineering Design Package (BEDP),
and execution through an EPCM and Supply model, covering design, engineering,
procurement, construction, commissioning, and performance testing. The project
will utilize a technology package developed by CSIR-Indian Institute of
Petroleum (CSIR-IIP) to recover Grade-A Helium of 99.995% purity from natural
gas. The demonstration plant is designed to process 750 Nm³/hr of natural gas,
with flexibility to operate at 110% of capacity.
Helium is a critical resource with
wide-ranging applications in space exploration, semiconductor manufacturing,
cryogenics, fibre optics, and medical technologies. Currently, India relies on
imports to meet its helium requirements. This project is expected to play a
pivotal role in establishing indigenous helium recovery capability, thereby
advancing India’s energy security and technological self-reliance.
The initiative marks a significant
milestone in ONGC’s strategy to develop indigenous capabilities in high-value
gases, aligning with the Government of India’s vision of Atmanirbhar Bharat. By
combining the research expertise of OECT with the execution capabilities of
EIL, the project underscores ONGC’s commitment to driving innovation and
strengthening India’s long-term energy and technology landscape.
According to TechSci
Research, the
establishment of India’s first Helium Recovery Demonstration Plant by ONGC
Energy Centre Trust and Engineers India Limited holds significant importance
for the chemical industry. Helium, a high-value inert gas, is essential in
various chemical processes, including controlled-atmosphere reactions, leak
detection, cooling applications, and advanced material research. Currently,
India depends entirely on imports to meet its helium requirements, which
creates supply vulnerabilities and cost pressures for chemical manufacturers.
Indigenous production of Grade-A helium will not only reduce import dependence
but also ensure a steady, reliable supply for critical applications in
specialty chemicals, cryogenics, and semiconductor-related chemical processes.
Additionally, the development of helium recovery capabilities will foster
innovation in gas separation technologies and open new avenues for advanced
chemical engineering solutions. This initiative, therefore, strengthens the
foundation of India’s chemical industry by enhancing raw material security and
supporting its integration into high-value global value chains.