RIL plans to sell gas to retail consumers in the US and will use its newly-minted partnership with Atlas Energy to try and build a brand name in the intensely competitive market reports the ecomonic times.

RIL, which bought 40 per cent in Atlas Energy recently, plans to use the pipeline infrastructure that Atlas already has to supply through its own network of gas stations in the world’s biggest energy market. A RIL spokesperson declined comment on the development. A person close to the development said RIL’s US venture, a subsidiary of RIL Netherlands, will transport gas using the network. The company initially plans to supply to consumers in New York, Virginia among others.

Having acquired the stake in the shale gas fields, RIL along with its joint venture partner Atlas Energy will soon begin work on the development of the field to start producing gas. As opposed to many crude oil and gas acreages, the shale gas fields are all proven assets (where time and money are not wasted on exploration) and RIL can get into the development stage right away.

But India’s biggest company and largest refiner will find the US market a tough nut to crack. The retail market is dominated by giants such as Exxon-Mobil and BP that have spent many decades building network and pipeline infrastructure. They also have a strong brand presence.

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