New Delhi, August 20, 2025: EIL & OECT signed an agreement on 18th August 2025 at ONGC - New Delhi Office for “Detailed Project Report, Basic Engineering Design Package, and execution of the project through EPCM and Supply mode for implementation of a Helium Recovery Demonstration Plant at ONGC’s Kuthalam Gas Collection Station in Cauvery Asset, Tamil Nadu.”
This agreement has been executed in the presence of Shri Rajiv Agarwal (Director Technical) - EIL & Shri Vikram Saxena (Director, Technology & Field Services) - ONGC & and other senior Management officers from both the organizations at the ONGC New Delhi office.
EIL is a public sector undertaking under the administrative control of the Ministry of Petroleum & Natural Gas (MoPNG), providing concept to commissioning services across various industrial sectors
OECT is a Trust set up by ONGC to conduct research and development in alternative energy, specifically focusing on projects, which have the potential to make an impact on India’s Energy sector.
The project is of immense national importance towards Hon’ble PM’s vision of “Atmanirbhar Bharat” with the development of indigenous technology by EIL, CSIR-IIP and OECT towards the recovery of Grade -A Helium of 99.995 % purity from natural gas.
Helium, a critical resource with its wider applications in space, semiconductor manufacturing, medical field and various industrial and scientific applications. As per reports, it is estimated that India imports approx. 70 million cubic meters/year of Helium with value of approx. Rs.55,000 Cr/year. Thus, establishing indigenously developed technology and capability in Helium recovery is of strategic importance for the country towards achieving self-reliance for Helium and reducing import dependency with saving of significant foreign exchange.
The collaboration of EIL, CSIR-IIP and OECT will combine their pool of expertise for the successful implementation of this strategic project, which could propel further proliferation of this technology in other potential areas across India.