Norway Begins LNG Supplies to India Under 15-Year Agreement, Strengthening Bilateral Energy Cooperation

India and Norway have reached an important milestone in their bilateral energy partnership, with Norwegian energy major Equinor commencing liquefied natural gas (LNG) supplies to India under a 15-year agreement. The development strengthens India’s access to international natural gas supplies and expands energy cooperation between the two countries.

Norway’s State Secretary for Foreign Affairs, Astrid Bergmål, confirmed the commencement of supplies during her visit to India in October 2026. Speaking to The Economic Times, she stated that Equinor’s first LNG delivery had arrived in Gujarat earlier this year, marking the beginning of a long-term commercial arrangement.

The development follows an agreement signed in February 2024 between Equinor and Indian fertiliser and petrochemical manufacturer Deepak Fertilisers and Petrochemicals Corporation Limited. The contract provides for approximately 650,000 tonnes of LNG annually for 15 years, beginning in 2026.

The commencement of supplies adds a new dimension to India–Norway cooperation in conventional energy, renewable power, green hydrogen, offshore technologies and sustainable industrial development.

Equinor Begins LNG Deliveries to Gujarat

Norwegian energy company Equinor has commenced LNG supplies to India under its long-term agreement with Deepak Fertilisers.

Astrid Bergmål confirmed the arrival of the first shipment in Gujarat while discussing the expansion of bilateral energy relations during her visit to New Delhi for the first anniversary of the India–European Free Trade Association Trade and Economic Partnership Agreement.

Equinor announced the original supply agreement on February 19, 2024, establishing a commercial arrangement covering approximately 0.65 million tonnes of LNG annually over 15 years. The contract represents a significant addition to the company’s international LNG supply portfolio and provides Deepak Fertilisers with a long-term source of natural gas for its industrial operations.

Equinor’s LNG portfolio includes supplies associated with its Hammerfest LNG facility in Norway, alongside gas sourced from international markets, particularly the United States. Consequently, the agreement represents Norwegian corporate participation in India’s LNG market, while individual cargoes may originate from different production locations.

The commencement of deliveries in 2026 marks the transition of the agreement from commercial planning to operational supply.

Deepak Fertilisers to Use LNG for Domestic Ammonia Production

The LNG supplied by Equinor will primarily support ammonia production at a manufacturing facility operated by Deepak Fertilisers.

Ammonia is an essential industrial chemical used in fertiliser manufacturing and several other chemical processes. Conventional ammonia production requires hydrogen, commonly obtained from natural gas through industrial reforming processes. According to Equinor’s official announcement, Deepak Fertilisers will use the contracted LNG primarily as feedstock for ammonia production at its newly commissioned manufacturing facility.

The ammonia produced from this natural gas is intended for domestic consumption, supporting India’s fertiliser and petrochemical industries. Reliable natural gas supplies are particularly important for ammonia manufacturers because feedstock availability influences production schedules, operational efficiency and manufacturing costs. Long-term LNG procurement arrangements can help industrial consumers plan operations and secure access to fuel and chemical feedstocks over extended periods.

The India–Norway supply agreement therefore contributes to industrial production alongside its broader role in strengthening bilateral energy trade.

Long-Term LNG Agreement Strengthens India’s Energy Supply Network

India imports natural gas in liquefied form to supplement domestic production and meet demand from industries, fertiliser plants, refineries, city gas networks and electricity generation facilities.

LNG is produced by cooling natural gas to approximately minus 162 degrees Celsius, converting it into a liquid that occupies substantially less volume than gas under normal atmospheric conditions.

This allows natural gas to be transported economically over long distances using specialised LNG carriers. After arriving at an import terminal, the LNG is unloaded, stored and converted back into gas through regasification facilities. The resulting natural gas can then enter pipeline networks for delivery to industrial and commercial consumers.

Long-term LNG supply agreements provide an important mechanism for connecting international producers and trading companies with Indian industrial consumers. The Equinor–Deepak Fertilisers contract extends over 15 years, providing a sustained commercial relationship between the two companies.

For India, access to an expanded range of international LNG suppliers supports efforts to diversify procurement and strengthen the resilience of industrial energy supply chains.

Norway Expands Energy Cooperation with India

The commencement of LNG supplies reflects the broader expansion of India–Norway energy cooperation.

During her October 2026 visit, Astrid Bergmål highlighted the growing importance of renewable energy, green hydrogen, offshore wind and environmentally sustainable shipping in the bilateral partnership. Norwegian companies possess considerable experience in offshore engineering, maritime technologies, energy production and industrial energy management.

India, meanwhile, is developing its renewable energy capacity, modernising maritime infrastructure and encouraging investment in emerging clean energy technologies. These complementary capabilities provide opportunities for cooperation across conventional and renewable energy industries.

The two countries have been pursuing closer engagement through government consultations, business forums and agreements involving research institutions and industrial enterprises.

Their cooperation reflects a diversified approach that combines conventional energy security with longer-term investments in cleaner technologies.

India–Norway Green Strategic Partnership Supports Energy Transition

India and Norway elevated their bilateral relationship to a Green Strategic Partnership during Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s visit to Oslo in May 2026.

During discussions with Norwegian Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Støre, the two leaders reviewed cooperation in trade, investment, climate action, energy transition, maritime development, research, higher education and emerging technologies. The partnership established a broader framework for strengthening cooperation in environmentally sustainable industries.

Energy transition technologies formed an important component of the discussions, particularly in areas where Indian manufacturing capabilities can complement Norwegian technical expertise.

Both countries also recognised opportunities for strengthening cooperation in the blue economy, ocean governance and maritime technologies.The Green Strategic Partnership provides an institutional foundation for expanding commercial and technological engagements between Indian and Norwegian companies.

The commencement of LNG supplies complements this broader relationship by strengthening conventional energy cooperation while both countries pursue renewable energy and low-carbon industrial development.

Renewable Energy and Green Hydrogen Create New Opportunities

Renewable energy and green hydrogen are emerging as important areas of India–Norway industrial cooperation.

Green hydrogen is produced by using renewable electricity to split water into hydrogen and oxygen through electrolysis. It offers an alternative to conventionally produced hydrogen in selected industrial applications.

India’s National Green Hydrogen Mission aims to establish domestic production capabilities and support the development of a green hydrogen manufacturing ecosystem.

Norway has experience in renewable electricity generation, offshore energy infrastructure, maritime engineering and industrial technologies relevant to hydrogen production and transportation.

These capabilities create opportunities for cooperation in electrolysers, hydrogen infrastructure, industrial decarbonisation and clean energy equipment.

Offshore wind power represents another area of potential collaboration. Norway’s experience in marine engineering and offshore operations is relevant to India’s efforts to explore and develop offshore wind resources.

Cooperation in these sectors can strengthen industrial innovation and encourage investment in technologies supporting the long-term energy transition.

India–Norway Trade Agreement Encourages Industrial Investment

The commencement of LNG supplies coincides with the first anniversary of the India–European Free Trade Association Trade and Economic Partnership Agreement.

The agreement entered into force on October 1, 2025, covering India and the four EFTA members: Norway, Switzerland, Iceland and Liechtenstein. It establishes a framework for expanding trade, investment, services and technological cooperation.

On October 7, 2026, India hosted the second India–EFTA Prosperity Summit in New Delhi to review progress under the agreement and encourage greater commercial engagement.

During the summit, Commerce Secretary Rajesh Agrawal held bilateral discussions with Astrid Bergmål, reflecting the continuing importance of Norway in India’s economic engagement with the EFTA grouping. The summit also featured business discussions covering advanced manufacturing, healthcare, the blue economy, maritime technologies, clean energy and climate innovation.

Norwegian companies already participate in multiple sectors of the Indian economy, including energy, maritime engineering, technology and industrial services.

The implementation of the trade agreement provides opportunities to strengthen these commercial relationships and encourage additional investment.

India and Norway Strengthen Cooperation in Maritime and Offshore Technologies

Maritime cooperation represents another important component of the India–Norway relationship.

Norway has an established international maritime industry covering commercial shipping, ship design, offshore engineering, marine equipment and specialised vessel technologies.

India is expanding its shipbuilding capabilities, modernising port infrastructure and developing maritime transport networks under its long-term maritime development programmes. The two countries have identified sustainable shipping, offshore technologies and the digitalisation of port operations as potential areas for greater cooperation.

During the third session of the India–Norway Dialogue on Trade and Investment in April 2026, both sides reviewed opportunities involving energy, offshore technologies, renewable power and sustainable maritime development. These discussions complement the growing commercial engagement between Indian and Norwegian companies.

The integration of energy cooperation with maritime technologies is particularly relevant because LNG transportation depends on specialised ships, import terminals, storage facilities and associated engineering infrastructure. Expanding cooperation across these sectors can support industrial development and strengthen the technological capabilities of companies operating in the energy and maritime industries.

Norway’s Growing Business Presence Supports Bilateral Cooperation

Approximately 160 Norwegian companies are conducting business in India, according to Astrid Bergmål’s remarks during her October 2026 visit.

These companies operate across sectors including renewable energy, maritime technology, water management, digital solutions, manufacturing and healthcare technologies.

The India–EFTA trade agreement has provided an additional framework for strengthening commercial relations and encouraging investments. Norwegian participation in India’s industrial development extends beyond conventional trade to include technology collaboration, specialised engineering and renewable energy projects.

During the India–Norway Business and Research Summit in Oslo in May 2026, more than 250 participants from the business and research communities of both countries attended discussions involving over 50 companies. The summit included specialised roundtables on healthcare innovation, maritime cooperation, battery and energy storage technologies, digitalisation, electrification and wind energy.

These engagements demonstrate the expanding scope of India–Norway commercial cooperation and the opportunities emerging from closer institutional relationships.

LNG Supplies Add New Dimension to India–Norway Energy Partnership

The commencement of LNG supplies under Equinor’s 15-year agreement with Deepak Fertilisers marks an important development in bilateral energy relations.

The contract provides for approximately 650,000 tonnes of LNG annually, supporting ammonia manufacturing and associated industrial operations in India.

The arrival of the first shipment in Gujarat during 2026 demonstrates the progress of a commercial agreement originally concluded in February 2024.The development also reflects the expanding participation of Norwegian companies in India’s energy sector, which increasingly encompasses conventional fuels, renewable electricity, green hydrogen and offshore technologies.

With the India–Norway Green Strategic Partnership and the India–EFTA Trade and Economic Partnership Agreement providing broader institutional support, both countries are strengthening their economic and technological engagement.

The LNG supply arrangement adds a practical industrial dimension to this cooperation, supporting India’s energy diversification efforts and contributing to the continued development of the India–Norway economic partnership.

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References

1. Equinor – Official Corporate Announcement, February 19, 2024: Equinor Signs a 15-Year LNG Agreement with Deepak Fertilisers
2. The Economic Times – October 10, 2026: India–Norway Energy Ties Broadening, LNG Supplies Have Begun, Says Norwegian Official
3. Prime Minister’s Office, Government of India – May 18, 2026: Prime Minister Holds Bilateral Talks with Prime Minister of Norway
4. Prime Minister’s Office, Government of India – May 18, 2026: Prime Minister Attends the India–Norway Business and Research Summit
5. Ministry of Commerce and Industry – April 2026: Third Session of India–Norway Dialogue on Trade and Investment
6. Ministry of Commerce and Industry – October 7, 2026: India and EFTA States Mark First Year of TEPA with Investment Announcements
7. Ministry of Commerce and Industry – October 1, 2025: India–EFTA Trade and Economic Partnership Agreement Enters into Force

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