India asks US to export LNG

Calls it a win–win solution for both countries.

India's ambassador to the USA, Nirupama Rao, has asked the USA to begin exporting liquefied natural gas to India and other energy scarce countries. He described this as a win-win opportunity.

"As shale gas has become economically viable to produce, the US has emerged as one of the world's most important gas producing countries," she said.

She noted that growth in shale gas production in the coming years is now expected to substantially reduce, if not eliminate, the need for the US to import natural gas.

According to US Department of Energy estimates, total production of natural gas in the US should exceed domestic consumption by 2020.

Rao said this scenario opens up the possibility of the export of LNG from the US to other energy scarce countries, including India, where there is significant untapped potential for natural gas demand in all end use segments.

She said that India had already invested heavily in liquefaction terminals.