If you’re eyeing the energy sector in India, specifically gas distribution, you’ll want to know who’s leading the pack. India’s robust economy is powered by a diverse range of industries, and gas distribution is no exception. Similar to how the energy sector is vital, industries like shipping and road transport play a crucial role in supporting India’s economic infrastructure. The country has a thriving network of companies that distribute natural gas to millions of households, businesses, and industrial units every day.
India ranks third globally for primary energy consumption, according to BP’s Statistical Review 2020. With the government’s push towards cleaner energy sources, natural gas usage is on the rise. Within this landscape, there are key players whose operations stand out not just for their size but also for their contribution to meeting India’s growing energy needs.
Among these industry titans are ten firms that truly dominate the sector. They’ve earned their spots through years of reliable service and continuous innovation in an ever-changing market. Let’s take a closer look at these top 10 gas distribution companies in India – where they come from, what they do best and how they continue to shape India’s future energy landscape.
Gas Distribution Industry in India
- The India City Gas Distribution (CGD) Market is projected to register a CAGR of over 10% during the forecast period.
- The Indian government aims to increase the natural gas share in its energy mix from 6% in 2019 to 15% by 2030. This initiative mirrors efforts in other sectors aiming for growth and modernization, such as electric vehicle manufacturing and consumer durables.
- The CGD market in India is moderately fragmented, with key players including Indraprastha Gas Limited, Mahanagar Gas Ltd, GAIL Gas Limited, Gujarat Gas Ltd, and IndianOil-Adani Gas Pvt. Ltd.
- The City Gas Distribution (CGD) market in India is forecast to witness a CAGR of 10% to grow from an estimated 9,223 MMSCM (Million Metric Standard Cubic Meters) .
- India is the 4th largest importer of liquefied natural gas (LNG) .
- India consumed 204.23 MMT petroleum products and 63.9 BCM natural gas in FY 2021-22.
- As of April 2022, estimated reserves of crude oil in India stood at 651.77 million tonnes, and natural gas reserves stood at 1138.67 billion cubic meters.
- A total of 88% of India’s geographical area, covering 98% of the population, has been authorized for the development of City Gas Distribution networks.
- India’s oil demand is expected to increase by 40% to 6.7 million barrels per day by 2040.
Gas Distribution Companies in India
Here are the top 10 gas distribution companies in India:
- Adani Total Gas
- GAIL (India) Limited
- Gujarat Gas Limited
- Indraprastha Gas Limited (IGL)
- Mahanagar Gas Limited (MGL)
- GAIL Gas Limited
- Tripura Natural Gas Company Limited (TNGCL)
- Central U.P. Gas Limited
- IndianOil-Adani Gas Pvt. Ltd.
- Petronet LNG Limited
The prowess of these gas distribution companies is reflective of excellence across various sectors in India, from jute manufacturing to pharmaceuticals, showcasing the country’s industrial diversity.
These companies are involved in the transportation and delivery of natural gas from production sources to end consumers. They operate under regulatory frameworks to ensure safety, reliability, and fair competition.
| Company | Revenue (2022) |
|---|---|
| Adani Total Gas | ₹28,693 crores |
| GAIL (India) Limited | ₹144,302 crores |
| Gujarat Gas Limited | ₹162,160 Million |
| Indraprastha Gas Limited (IGL) | ₹15,542.67 crores |
| Mahanagar Gas Limited (MGL) | ₹33,222 crores |
| GAIL Gas Limited | 144,302 crores |
| Central U.P. Gas Limited | – |
| Indian Oil-Adani Gas Pvt. Ltd. | >500 crores |
| Petronet LNG Limited | ₹59,899 crores |
| Tripura Natural Gas Company Limited (TNGCL) | – |
- Adani Total Gas
- Revenue: ₹28,693 crores
- GAIL (India) Limited
- Revenue: ₹144,302 crores
- Gujarat Gas Limited
- Revenue: ₹162,160 Million
- Indraprastha Gas Limited (IGL)
- Revenue: ₹15,542.67 crores
- Mahanagar Gas Limited (MGL)
- Revenue: ₹33,222 crores
- GAIL Gas Limited
- Revenue: ₹144,302 crores
- Indian Oil-Adani Gas Pvt. Ltd.
- Revenue: >₹500 crores
- Petronet LNG Limited
- Revenue: ₹59,899 crores
1. Adani Total Gas
When you’re thinking about the top gas distribution companies in India, it’s impossible not to mention Adani Total Gas. A significant player in the industry, this company has been making waves since its incorporation in 2005.
During the fiscal year 2021-22, Adani Total Gas reported an impressive revenue of ₹28,693 crores – a staggering increase of 78.6% compared to the previous year. The net profit wasn’t far behind with ₹5,047 crores, marking a growth of 6.9%. This financial strength is managed by a dedicated team of around 499 employees as of 2023.
Their main business is to develop City Gas Distribution (CGD) networks to supply Piped Natural Gas (PNG) to various sectors. Be it industrial or commercial customers or even domestic households and transport sector.
As for their key clients, they’re spread across numerous cities within India serving different customer categories from industrial entities to everyday households. With headquarters based out in Ahmedabad, Gujarat – they’ve truly established a strong presence on home ground.
They’ve expanded their distribution network covering a whopping 33 geographical areas across India. Moreover, Adani Total Gas formed a strategic joint venture with Total Energies SE, putting them squarely on the global map.
This partnership doesn’t stop at just being namesake; they’re actively working together on creating new gas markets within India which includes two import and regasification LNG terminals slated for Dhamra and potentially Mundra.
Aiming high is part of their DNA – over the next decade, Adani Total Gas intends to expand its gas distribution through its 38 concessions, hoping to cover as much as 7.5% of India’s population.
To fuel these ambitious plans and further build upon their infrastructure & distribution networks – they’ve allocated nearly ₹15,000 crores ($1.8 billion) towards capital spending in upcoming years.
It isn’t just about natural gas though; diversification is key! With two wholly-owned subsidiaries: Adani TotalEnergies E-Mobility Ltd focusing on e-mobility and Adani TotalEnergies Biomass Ltd handling biomass business– there’s more than meets the eye when it comes to Adani Total Gas.
2. GAIL (India) Limited
GAIL (India) Limited, a leading natural gas company in India, has been an integral part of the country’s energy sector since its establishment in 1984. With interests spanning across the natural gas value chain, from trading and transmission to LPG production and city gas distribution, it’s no surprise that they’ve earned such a sterling reputation.
Their fiscal year performance for 2022-23 is a testament to their success. That year, they reported a whopping revenue of ₹144,302 crores – that’s a 57% growth compared to the previous year. Their PBT stood at ₹6,584 crores while their PAT was ₹5,302 crores.
| Fiscal Year | Revenue | PBT | PAT |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2022-23 | ₹144,302 crores | ₹6,584 crores | ₹5,302 crores |
With over 10k employees working tirelessly behind the scenes and around 405 domestic gas customers plus 309 RLNG customers, it’s clear GAIL (India) Ltd isn’t slowing down anytime soon. The firm’s headquarters are nestled at 16 Bhikaji Cama Pl, RK Puram in New Delhi.
Despite being in operation for over three decades now, GAIL hasn’t rested on its laurels. It commands an impressive 70% market share in gas transmission and over 50% in India’s gas trading industry. Furthermore, GAIL plays a significant role in City Gas Distribution throughout India.
In terms of notable projects or partnerships undertaken recently by this powerhouse of a firm: In 2022 alone they acquired a substantial 26% stake in ONGC Tripura Power Company (OTPC), which manages operations for one of Tripura’s main power plants.
As if that wasn’t enough reason to pay attention to this energy giant: They’re also dedicated to contributing positively towards nation-building through their R&D initiative – ‘GAIL Pankh’. This project aims at identifying and nurturing start-ups with potential contributions both within core sectors as well as non-core areas.
GAIL is no stranger to recognition for excellence; among many others they’ve bagged the “BML Munjal Award” for “Business Excellence through Learning and Development in PSU category” as well as the “Platts Global Energy Award” under “Energy Transition – Midstream” category both awarded just last year.
Legendary athlete P.T Usha launched ‘GAIL Indian Speedstar’, an initiative aimed at discovering and fostering athletic talent nationwide.
3. Gujarat Gas Limited
When it comes to gas distribution, Gujarat Gas Limited stands out as India’s largest City Gas Distribution (CGD) company. Covering 44 districts across six states and one Union territory, this Ahmedabad-based powerhouse primarily operates in its home state of Gujarat.
Let’s delve a bit deeper into the financials. In FY22, Gujarat Gas raked in an impressive ₹162,160 million in revenue – that’s a whopping 66.4% increase from the previous year’s ₹97,474 million! Even their net profit saw an uptick: ₹12,858 million in FY22 compared to ₹12,683 million in FY21.
| Revenue (₹ Million) | YoY Change (%) | |
|---|---|---|
| FY21 | 97474 | NA |
| FY22 | 162160 | 66.4 |
The dedicated team behind these figures is not small either – Gujarat Gas boasts a workforce of 1,089 employees.
In terms of products and services, they’re all about natural gas. Whether it’s compressed natural gas (CNG) for vehicles or piped natural gas (PNG) for households and commercial establishments or supplying industrial customers – they’ve got it covered.
Their clientele is as diverse as their offerings – spanning from residential to commercial to industrial sectors. This variety has undoubtedly played a part in their success story.
Established back in 1980 under the name ‘Gujarat Gas Company Limited’, they went public just over a decade later. A significant change came about when BG Group bought majority shares in ’97 but eventually sold their stake to GSPC Gas – part of the state-run Gujarat State Petroleum Corporation – by October ’12.
In this year’s Asia Executive Team Ranking they ranked first for ESG, Investor Relation Program and Investor Relation Professional within Power sector sell-side votes.
Business Today gave them the Best CEO Award 2021 under Emerging Companies category whilst Business Standard honoured them with STAR PSU Award back in ’20.
4. Indraprastha Gas Limited (IGL)
Turning our attention to the fourth company on our list, we take a closer look at Indraprastha Gas Limited (IGL). You’ll find that IGL stands as one of India’s leading gas distribution companies.
For FY 2022-23, IGL reported a gross turnover of ₹15,542.67 crores – an impressive 84% growth from ₹8,443 crores in FY’22. Net profit wasn’t left behind either; it showed a healthy growth of 10%, rising from ₹1314.95 crores in FY’22 to ₹1445.02 crores.
| Fiscal Year | Gross Turnover | Net Profit |
|---|---|---|
| 2022-23 | ₹15,542 cr | ₹1445 cr |
| 2021-22 | ₹8,443 cr | ₹1314 cr |
With a dedicated workforce of 565 employees, IGL continues to provide essential services across various sectors.
Their core services focus on delivering natural gas to customers within the domestic, transport and commercial sectors – primarily through Piped Natural Gas (PNG) and Compressed Natural Gas (CNG).
Well, if you’re living in or around Delhi NCR region including locations like Noida, Greater Noida and Ghaziabad among others – chances are your household or business is powered by IGL!
The nerve centre for all operations can be found at their headquarters located at Plot No. 4, Community Centre, Sector 9, R K Puram in New Delhi.
The company witnessed significant sales growth with total sales volume increasing by 14% YoY in FY’18-19 alone. Also they’ve managed to expand their reach far beyond Delhi into areas such as Meerut and Karnal just to name a few.
Behind this successful endeavour is the support from major partners including GAIL (India) Ltd., Bharat Petroleum Corporation Ltd., and the Government of Delhi which helped establish their expansive city gas distribution network.
A brief peek into its history reveals that IGL was incorporated back in 1998 only taking over the Delhi City Gas Distribution Project barely a year later from GAIL (India) Limited with an aim towards laying down an extensive network for natural gas distribution across National Capital Territory.
5. Mahanagar Gas Limited (MGL)
Stepping into the world of gas distribution in India, you’ll soon encounter Mahanagar Gas Limited (MGL). This Indian natural gas distribution company was incorporated on 8 May 1995 and is a joint enterprise between GAIL (India) Limited and the Government of Maharashtra.
In terms of financial performance, MGL has shown significant growth over the years. For FY22, MGL’s revenue saw an impressive rise to ₹33,222 crores – that’s up by 62.0% from ₹20,509 crores in FY21. However, the net profit during FY22 experienced a slight dip to ₹5,969 crores – down by 3.7% from ₹6,196 crores in FY21.
| Year | Revenue (in crores) | Net Profit (in crores) |
|---|---|---|
| FY21 | ₹20,509 | ₹6,196 |
| FY22 | ₹33,222 | ₹5,969 |
With a dedicated team of 489 employees, MGL provides crucial services to Mumbai and other areas within Maharashtra. The main services include distributing compressed natural gas (CNG) and piped natural gas (PNG). You’ll find their supplies reaching more than 4.5 lakh cars, 2,441 buses, and 28,699 LCVs/tempos/trucks/private buses.
Key clients include Brihanmumbai Electricity Supply and Transport (BEST), Thane Municipal Transport (TMT), Maharashtra State Road Transport Corporation (MSRTC), and Navi Mumbai Municipal Transport (NMMT) buses.
One striking achievement is their extensive distribution network comprising about 450 km of steel pipelines with over 470 km PE pipelines running through it. Furthermore they have established over 250 CNG stations via 1,268 dispensing points across their service area.
A notable event in MGL’s journey occurred on March 3rd 2023 when they acquired Unison Enviro Pvt Ltd as part of their expansion strategy.
The long-standing history coupled with strategic acquisitions like this one adds layers to MGL’s reputation as not just one of India’s leading gas distributors but also as one among the highly profitable companies in India.
6. GAIL Gas Limited
You’re now diving into the world of GAIL Gas Limited, a top-tier gas distribution company based in India. Let’s get straight to the facts.
In the fiscal year 2022-23, GAIL (India) Ltd recorded a substantial revenue from operations amounting to ₹144,302 crores. This represents an impressive YoY growth of 57%. The Profit before Tax (PBT) sat at ₹6,584 crores while Profit after Tax (PAT) was ₹5,302 crores.
| Fiscal Year | Revenue(₹ Crore) | PBT(₹ Crore) | PAT(₹ Crore) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2022-23 | 144,302 | 6,584 | 5,302 |
Despite being a giant in its field, GAIL Gas Limited maintains a lean team with just 36 employees on board. As a leading City Gas Distribution (CGD) company in India, their main focus is on retailing, distribution and marketing natural gas.
This dynamic company boasts of having 405 domestic gas customers and 309 RLNG customers, serving diverse sectors such as power and fertiliser among other industries.
Stepping into their headquarters will land you right in New Delhi. Over the years they’ve achieved significant milestones including expanding their presence across 16 Geographical Areas (GAs) spanning over 14 states.
Notably, they’ve also successfully implemented the Unified Tariff model which greatly contributes towards achieving ‘One Nation One Grid One Tariff’. This move is set to boost gas consumption even in distant areas.
They’ve been selected for implementing CGD projects in four cities: Kota, Dewas Sonipat and Meerut.
Rewind back to 2008 when this game-changer was incorporated as a wholly-owned subsidiary of GAIL (India) Ltd – under the ownership of Ministry of Petroleum & Natural Gas Government of India. Now fast forward back to today where it sells around 51% (excluding internal usage) of all natural gas sold in India. Power sector claims about 37% while fertiliser takes up about 26%.
It’s clear that Gail Gas Limited plays an integral part within its parent company – GAIL (India) Ltd – contributing significantly to its overall success.
7. Tripura Natural Gas Company Limited (TNGCL)
Diving right in to talk about Tripura Natural Gas Company Limited (TNGCL), you’ll find it’s one of the key players in India’s gas distribution sector, particularly within its home state of Tripura.
Established on 10th July 1990, TNGCL has built a significant presence in the city gas distribution (CGD) business over the years. It’s noteworthy that this company enjoys a monopoly position in Agartala due to its established customer base, substantial gas pipeline infrastructure and first-mover advantage.
Here are some highlights about TNGCL:
- Employees: TNGCL employs around 28 dedicated individuals.
- Location: The company is headquartered at 33, Office Lane, Agartala, Tripura-799001, India.
- Products/Services: Its core services include supplying eco-friendly and cost-effective natural gas to domestic, commercial and industrial units across Agartala. They’re also known for providing Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) for vehicles.
The financials of TNGCL provide an interesting perspective on their scale. As per available data from the year ending March 2019, the operating revenues were recorded between INR 1 crore to INR 100 crores. Unfortunately, we couldn’t get hold of their exact financial figures for FY2022.
When it comes to partnerships and achievements – TNGCL is certainly not lagging behind! This enterprise is a joint venture among GAIL (India) Ltd., Tripura Industrial Development Corporation Ltd (a Government of Tripura undertaking), and Assam Gas Company Ltd (a Government of Assam undertaking). What truly sets them apart though is their impressive track record – they boast almost 100% reliability in gas supply. Plus they’re the first company in Eastern India to set up CNG stations – fuelling an average of 10,000 vehicles daily.
8. Central U.P. Gas Limited
In the heart of India’s energy sector, Central U.P. Gas Limited plays a crucial role. This company has positioned itself as one of the top gas distribution companies in the country. Let’s dive into their story and find out what makes them stand out.
Founded in 2005, Central U.P. Gas Limited is considered a significant player in the natural gas distribution industry in India. It was born from a joint venture between two Navratna powerhouses: GAIL (India) Limited and Bharat Petroleum Corporation Limited. The strength of its parentage is reflected in its steady growth and solid performance.
As for their financial health, they’ve shown impressive results recently. In the fiscal year 2021-22 alone, the company reported an eye-catching total income of ₹51,745 lakhs (₹517.45 crores). Its revenue from operations wasn’t far behind at ₹50,958 lakhs (₹509.58 crores).
| Financial Year | Total Income (in lakhs) | Revenue from Operations (in lakhs) |
|---|---|---|
| 2021-22 | ₹51,745 | ₹50,958 |
The company’s range of services includes distributing Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) for vehicles and Piped Natural Gas (PNG) for domestic use as well as commercial and industrial applications — versatility that allows it to cater to a diverse clientele base.
Despite having only between 11 to 50 employees on board in India, they’ve managed to achieve remarkable success.
In terms of location logistics, you’ll find their headquarters at this address: 7th Floor, UPSIDC Complex, A1/4 Lakhanpur, Kanpur-208024, Uttar Pradesh, India.
While Central U.P. Gas Limited may not be the largest gas distribution company around by size or workforce numbers yet. They’re backed by strong leadership and have proven themselves capable with robust financial performance over time.
9. Indian Oil-Adani Gas Pvt. Ltd.
Let’s dive into the journey of Indian Oil-Adani Gas Pvt. Ltd., one of India’s key players in the city gas distribution market.
For the financial year ending on 31 March 2022, their operating revenues exceeded INR 500 crores. Impressively, there was a surge in their EBITDA by 67.40% compared to the previous year and a net worth increase by almost half at 45.28%.
| Financial Year End | Revenue (INR Crores) | EBITDA Growth (%) | Net Worth Growth (%) |
|---|---|---|---|
| March 2022 | >500 | 67.4 | 45.28 |
It’s driven by a team of dedicated professionals. In fact, as of last count, they had a robust workforce of around 276 employees.
The company prides itself on marketing and distributing natural gas in both piped and compressed forms, catering primarily to four sectors: domestic, commercial, industrial, and automotive.
Their headquarters lie in Noida, Uttar Pradesh but their influence extends far beyond those walls with an expanding presence across India’s city gas distribution market.
It’s worth noting that IndianOil-Adani Gas Pvt Ltd is not just any company – it’s a joint venture between two heavyweights: Indian Oil Corporation Limited (IOC) – a Maharatna Company backed by the Government of India – and Adani Total Gas Limited (ATGL).
Since its incorporation on October 4th, 2013, this powerful alliance has achieved notable success competing alongside major industry giants such as Indraprastha Gas Limited and Gujarat Gas Ltd amongst others.
Lastly but certainly not leastly – recognition for their hard work comes not only from financial success but also prestigious awards! For instance: Adani Total Gas Ltd scooped up none other than the FICCI Road Safety Award in ‘Outstanding Commitment in Road Safety by Corporates’ category earlier this year.
10. Petronet LNG Limited
Petronet LNG Limited, one of India’s leading gas distribution companies, has seen substantial growth in recent years. The company reported an impressive turnover of ₹59,899 crores in the financial year 2022-23, marking a 39% growth from the previous year. This upward trend continued with a net profit of ₹819.28 crores for the first quarter of 2023 – a YoY increase of 13%.
| Financial Year Performance | Figures |
|---|---|
| Turnover FY 2022-23 | ₹59,899 crores |
| Q1 Net Profit for FY 2023 | ₹819 crores |
With around 1,640 employees on its roll as of 2022, Petronet is primarily engaged in importing and processing liquefied natural gas (LNG). It operates two key LNG terminals: Dahej terminal in Gujarat with a nominal capacity of 17.5 MMTPA and Kochi terminal in Kerala with a capacity of 5 MMTPA.
The company serves top-notch clients including:
- Oil and Natural Gas Corporation Limited (ONGC)
- Indian Oil Corporation Limited (IOCL)
- Bharat Petroleum Corporation Limited (BPCL)
- GAIL (India) Limited
Based out of New Delhi, Petronet has achieved significant milestones since its inception by the Government of India in 1998. Notably, it established India’s first LNG receiving and regasification terminal at Dahej, Gujarat and another at Kochi, Kerala.
It’s not just an industry leader but also a responsible corporate citizen that actively participates in socio-economic development projects. Its corporate social responsibility initiatives have won it numerous awards and recognitions.
Moreover, it’s noteworthy to mention that Petronet is a joint venture promoted by well-regarded corporations like GAIL, ONGC, IOC and BPCL.
Finally, under its umbrella are subsidiaries including Petronet LNG Foundation – which undertakes CSR activities; Petronet Energy Limited; and an overseas subsidiary – Petronet LNG Singapore Pte Ltd.
Conclusion on Gas Distribution Companies in India
You’ve journeyed with us through the list of top 10 gas distribution companies operating in India. It’s evident that these firms play an integral role in powering homes, industries and vehicles across the country.
From giants like GAIL (India) Limited to prominent regional players like Gujarat Gas, each company has its unique strengths and contributions towards meeting India’s energy needs. They’re not just supplying gas; they’re fuelling economic growth and aiding environmental sustainability.
Yet it’s also important to note that these companies operate within a challenging regulatory environment. To stay competitive, they need to continually innovate while adhering to stringent safety standards.
Your understanding of these leading gas distributors can help you make more informed decisions. In addition to the energy sector, exploring other dynamic industries like courier services and road construction can provide a broader perspective on India’s evolving economic landscape. whether you’re an investor, supplier or consumer. As the demand for cleaner energy solutions grows globally, so too does the potential for these dynamic Indian companies. Remember though that while we’ve provided an overview here there’s always more room for exploration!
To further enrich your understanding of India’s multifaceted economy, delve into sectors such as textile and ceramic tiles, which also contribute significantly to the nation’s growth.
