India's LNG terminal plans in Iraq face visa, security hurdles

Plans to set up a liquified natural gas terminal in Iraq are yet to take off, as Iraq is yet to issue visas to officials from Indian oil and gas and EPC (engineering, procurement and construction) companies amid persistent security concerns in the country.

- Rituraj Baruah

A team of officials from state-run companies, including Indian Oil Corp (IOCL) and Engineers India Ltd (EIL), were to visit Iraq and weigh the prospects of an LNG terminal which would also operate as a gas liquefaction plant.

"They are yet to issue visas. No significant movement has taken place from the Iraqi side as of now. Things will only move forward when our team visits the country," said a person aware of the development, adding that there is no certainty on the timeline for the proposed visit.