Media reports suggest that state-run GAIL India expects to achieve around 75 per cent capacity utilisation of its gas transmission network on an average in the next five years.

The company expects to achieve this capacity utilisation given that it would have a total capacity of around 250-300 mmscmd by fiscal 2016-17 and have an expected gas volume in the range of 190 mmscmd.

It may be noted that the company received Maharatna status on February 1, which gives it greater flexibility in taking decisions and enhanced powers to its boards to approve investments.

The company imported 24-25 cargo of gas last year and it aims to import 26 cargo this year. With the commissioning of the Dabhol LNG terminal, it is looking at playing a bigger role in the gas sourcing business, either through long-term, short-term or spot, or through equity participation.

The firm plans to expand the Dabhol LNG terminal from 5 million tonne per annum (mn tpa) to 7.5 mn tpa in the next two years, along with putting in place the breakwater facility at the terminal. The final intent is to take the Dabhol capacity to 10 mn tpa.