ONGC, EIL to Set Up India’s First Helium Recovery Demo Plant

Oil and Natural Gas Corp. Ltd. on Monday said its R&D arm, ONGC Energy Centre Trust, has signed an agreement with Engineers India Ltd. to implement a helium recovery demonstration plant at ONGC’s Kuthalam Gas Collection Station in Tamil Nadu.

The agreement, valued at ₹394.2 million, covers preparation of a detailed project report, engineering design, procurement, construction, commissioning, and performance testing. The project is scheduled for completion in 18 months, ONGC said in a statement.

Based on technology developed by CSIR–Indian Institute of Petroleum, the plant will process 750 normal cubic metres of natural gas per hour and recover Grade-A helium of 99.995% purity, with the ability to operate at 110% capacity.

ONGC said the initiative is of strategic importance, as helium—widely used in space, semiconductors, cryogenics, fibre optics and medical technologies—is currently imported to meet India’s needs.