State-owned power utility NTPC and construction firm Larsen & Toubro are among the companies, which have evinced interest in partnering Indian Oil Corporation in its USD 750 million LNG import terminal at Ennore.

Mr B M Bansal chairman of IOC told reporters that "Many companies have evinced interest in the project NTPC, L&T, Tamil Nadu Electricity Board are among those.”

However, IOC has not yet decided if it will build the 2.5 million tonnes a year liquefied natural gas import terminal on the outskirts of Chennai.

He added that "The (investment) decision will depend on Detailed Feasibility Report which we have commissioned adding that the report was expected by year end.

IOC had in 2007 put on hold the LNG import-cum-regassification terminal after huge gas finds off the east coast made the project economically unviable.

(Sourced from PTI)