Centre plans to import CNG in place of LNG

India is considering importing CNG in place of LNG in order to meet the incremental domestic demand at a lower cost. The decision comes at a time when high prices have cut local LNG consumption. The MOPNG has asked GAIL and Petronet LNG to explore supply sources and shippers for importing CNG. CNG is natural gas compressed under high pressure while LNG is gas supercooled to liquid. CNG has 2.4 times less energy density per unit of volume than LNG and, therefore, is uneconomical to transport from far-off places.