West Asia conflict: Govt may ask companies to cut exports, increase auto fuel, LPG supplies – The Times of India

NEW DELHI: Amid fears of a scarcity in crude provides, govt is trying to nudge refiners to divert extra auto gas and LPG to the home market by reducing on exports and likewise improve cooking fuel manufacturing in order that there isn’t any disruption in native provides.Whereas govt and oil corporations insisted there’s no scarcity, refiners are taking a look at alternate sources to partially compensate for crude coming from war-hit West Asia.

The strain has led to a spike in oil and fuel costs, and given India’s dependence on imports, inflating the import invoice and stoking inflationary pressures. Officers, nevertheless, mentioned retail gas costs could not rise instantly, as oil advertising and marketing corporations comply with a calibrated method — absorbing losses when international costs are excessive and recouping them when costs soften. Retail petrol and diesel costs have remained unchanged since April 2022.Mantri meets oil cos to evaluate availability of crude and fuelOn a day when Iranian drones broken a part of Saudi Aramco refinery and Qatar Power’s services, the world’s largest LNG producer, introduced an export pause, petroleum minister Hardeep Singh Puri and his group of officers met oil corporations on Monday to evaluate the provision of crude and fuel. “We’re repeatedly monitoring the evolving scenario, and all steps can be taken to make sure availability and affordability of main petroleum merchandise within the nation,” the oil ministry mentioned in a put up on X.India imports almost 90% of its crude requirement. It additionally meets 60-65% of its LPG demand and about 60% of its LNG wants by means of imports, largely from West Asia, with shipments routed through Strait of Hormuz, which dangers being choked as a result of struggle.

In line with the Worldwide Power Company, in 2023, 5.9% of the nation’s manufacturing was being exported. Between April and Dec 2025, India exported petroleum merchandise value almost $330 billion, with the Netherlands, UAE, the US, Singapore, Australia and China being the principle locations. In 2024, it additionally exported petroleum fuel value $454 million, largely to Nepal, China, and Myanmar. The Reliance refinery in Jamnagar is the most important exporter within the nation.An oil firm government mentioned refiners are already in touch with merchants to tie up capacities amid fears of the blockade of Strait of Hormuz. By Monday, the worldwide market had caught the jitters from Qatar’s choice to droop fuel shipments.An oil government mentioned whereas disruption may trigger difficulties within the instant time period, Indian gamers had a large portfolio that they’ll faucet for LNG, together with the US, with vessels being routed by means of the Suez Canal.“Even when there’s a drive majeure, we now have different sources of provide, which we will faucet. Moreover, nobody goes to cease provides indefinitely,” the chief mentioned. Whereas oil and fuel costs rose Monday, the main target is on guaranteeing that provide traces stay open.