Petronet LNG has appointed GAIL Director (Marketing) Sanjay Kumar as its next Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer, effective May 13, 2027.
Petronet LNG has appointed Sanjay Kumar, Director (Marketing) at GAIL (India) Limited, as its next Managing Director (MD) and Chief Executive Officer (CEO).
Kumar will take charge on May 13, 2027, when the position becomes vacant, according to a stock exchange filing. The Petronet LNG Board approved the appointment at its meeting on October 2, 2026, following a recommendation from its Nomination and Remuneration Committee.
Petronet LNG to Get New MD and CEO
Sanjay Kumar will succeed Akshay Kumar Singh as MD and CEO of Petronet LNG.
Singh’s extended tenure will continue until May 12, 2027. He joined Petronet LNG from Indian Oil Corporation (IOC), where he served as Director (Pipelines).
Singh took charge as Petronet LNG’s MD and CEO on February 1, 2021, for an initial five-year term. The company extended his tenure in January 2026.
Petronet LNG is promoted by four state-owned companies. GAIL, Indian Oil Corporation, Bharat Petroleum Corporation Limited (BPCL) and Oil and Natural Gas Corporation (ONGC) each hold a 12.5% stake in the company. The remaining stake is held by public shareholders.
Sanjay Kumar Brings Over 35 Years of GAIL Experience
Kumar has served as GAIL’s Director (Marketing) since June 15, 2023. He joined GAIL in 1988 and has more than 35 years of experience in the natural gas sector.
His experience covers gas marketing, LNG sourcing, trading and shipping, business development, gas transmission and project management. He has also worked in pipeline operations and maintenance.
Kumar holds a degree in Mechanical Engineering from IIT Kharagpur. He also holds an MBA.
Sanjay Kumar’s LNG and Business Experience
LNG trading has been an important part of Kumar’s career. In 2011, he established GAIL Global (Singapore) Pte Limited.
GAIL describes the company as the first overseas LNG trading subsidiary established by an Indian oil and gas public sector undertaking.
Kumar has also served as GAIL’s nominee director on the boards of GAIL Global (Singapore) and Maharashtra Natural Gas Limited.
Before joining GAIL’s Board, Kumar served as Managing Director of Indraprastha Gas Limited (IGL), the Delhi-based city gas distributor. He held the position from April 2022.
He later returned to the IGL Board as an additional director with effect from January 14, 2025.
The appointment will bring Kumar’s extensive experience in natural gas, LNG, marketing and business development to Petronet LNG as he takes charge as MD and CEO in May 2027.
