New Delhi: The Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas stated on Thursday that India’s petroleum and LPG supplies are completely under control. The Ministry gave an assurance that there is no shortage of petrol, diesel, or LPG anywhere in the country, and the supply chain is functioning smoothly to meet current demand.
**No Rationing at Petrol Pumps**
In its press release, the Ministry stated that all of the country’s more than 100,000 petrol pumps are open and dispensing fuel without any interruptions. No outlet has been asked to curtail supplies or implement rationing (fixing quotas). While other countries are resorting to rationing, there is no shortage of supply in India. Taking into account the working capital challenges faced by petrol pump owners, oil companies have also extended the credit limit from one day to over three days, ensuring that no petrol pump faces a shortage of petrol or diesel.
**Crude Oil Supply**
The press release noted that India is currently procuring significantly more crude oil from its global network of over 41 suppliers than it did previously. The abundant availability of oil in international markets—particularly from the Western Hemisphere—has effectively offset any potential supply disruptions.
Every refinery in India is currently operating at over 100 percent of its installed capacity. Indian oil companies have already secured crude oil supplies for the next 60 days. There are no gaps or shortages in the supply chain.
**Strategic Reserves**
India possesses a total storage capacity equivalent to 74 days of consumption, and the current actual stock cover stands at approximately 60 days. This includes crude oil, refined products, and specialized strategic reserves stored in underground caverns. Despite global geopolitical developments, a continuous supply sufficient for nearly two months remains available for every Indian citizen. Procurement of crude oil for the upcoming two months has also already been secured. India remains completely secure for the next several months; given such a robust supply position, the volume of reserves stored within strategic caverns becomes a secondary consideration.
**Increase in Domestic Refinery Production**
Following the ‘LPG Control Order’ issued by the Ministry, domestic refinery production has been increased by 40 percent. Consequently, daily LPG production has risen to 50 TMT (which accounts for over 60 percent of our requirements), whereas the total daily demand stands at approximately 80 TMT. As a result, the daily import requirement has now dropped to just 30 TMT, implying that India is currently producing significantly more than it is importing.
**Promotion of PNG**
Piped Natural Gas (PNG) is being actively promoted in full coordination with state governments, as it offers an affordable, clean, and safe energy solution for Indian households. Out of its total daily requirement of 191 MMSCMD, India is currently producing 92 MMSCMD of gas domestically; this indicates that, in the case of natural gas, India is far less dependent on imports compared to LPG.
The assertion that PNG is being promoted because LPG supplies are running out constitutes entirely false information. The supply of LPG remains completely secure.
