US supplies about 67% of India’s LPG imports, reducing Gulf reliance: Hardeep Puri
US Supplies About 67 of India's LPG: Hardeep Puri on Energy Shift
Bharatmorningnews.com – Union Minister for Petroleum and Natural Gas Hardeep Singh Puri delivered a comprehensive update on India's energy landscape at the 7th CII International Energy Conference on Friday. The minister highlighted a significant transformation in the nation's fuel import strategy, noting that US supplies about 67 of India's total LPG imports. This strategic pivot is substantially reducing the country's historical reliance on Gulf nations for cooking gas requirements. Alongside this major development, Puri addressed cooking gas pricing mechanisms, fuel distribution resilience, and broader international energy partnerships.
Clarifying Cooking Gas Levy Rumors
When questioned about circulating reports suggesting a possible tax on cooking gas, the minister remained firm in his stance. He criticized the media's tendency to amplify unverified information without proper verification.
"Someone writes and rumours are spread and then you ask me to respond. It's not fair. It's not fair. If you have something concrete, let me know. But I'm not aware of any such proposal."
Puri emphasized that no formal proposal exists at this time, urging journalists to present verified information rather than speculative claims.
Building Resilience in Fuel Distribution
Addressing questions surrounding E20 ethanol-blended petrol, the minister pointed to robust testing protocols already in place. According to Puri, intensive evaluations commenced two weeks prior to an industry body's July 28 correspondence. Dedicated teams stationed across the nation gathered approximately 2,000 samples each day from petrol pumps. Out of the country's 107,000 retail locations—which serve between six and seven crore consumers daily—only four instances of contamination emerged. The minister suggested certain stakeholders had misrepresented these results.
Highlighting infrastructure growth, Puri noted the retail network more than doubled since 2014, expanding from 52,000 outlets to its current size. Despite worldwide supply challenges, no single location experienced stockouts. This stability stems from multiple factors: diversified crude procurement, modernized facilities, reliable international alliances, technological improvements, and strategic reserves totaling 74 days of capacity.
India's Growing Energy Footprint
The minister characterized India as the world's third-biggest energy consumer and importer, while ranking fourth globally in refining. Domestic energy consumption is rising at roughly triple the international average rate. Drawing on International Energy Agency projections, Puri indicated India might represent nearly 30% of worldwide oil demand expansion through 2050. He contrasted this trajectory with Western markets, observing that Europe is shedding approximately 200,000 barrels per day in refining capability, while the United States has not opened a new refinery in half a century.
LPG Supply Diversification Strategy
Regarding liquefied petroleum gas, Puri explained that temporary worries about Gulf nation shipments near the Strait of Hormuz were mitigated through increased domestic output. Production rose from roughly 34,000 metric tonnes daily to 55,000 tonnes, partly through adjusting refinery configurations. Crucially, the United States now provides about 67% of India's LPG imports, significantly lowering dependence on Middle Eastern sources. This diversification strategy ensures greater energy security for the nation's households and industries.
Offshore Production and Fuel Pricing
A new initiative involves ONGC partnering with Brazil's Petrobras and BP to restore output at the Mumbai High offshore fields, originally discovered in 1974. The government committed to covering up to 50% of drilling expenses, with a ceiling of approximately 650 crore rupees per well. On retail fuel costs, Puri acknowledged that international crude fluctuations caused slight increases in petrol and diesel prices over recent years. However, excise reductions implemented in November 2021, May 2022, and March 2026—totaling roughly ₹10 per litre—maintained Indian fuel prices among the most competitive globally.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: What percentage of India's LPG imports now comes from the United States? A: According to Hardeep Puri, US supplies about 67 of India's LPG imports, marking a significant shift from previous Gulf-dependent patterns.
Q: How has India's domestic LPG production changed recently? A: Domestic production has increased from approximately 34,000 metric tonnes daily to 55,000 tonnes through refinery configuration adjustments.
Q: What excise duty reductions have been made to fuel prices? A: Excise reductions totaling roughly ₹10 per litre were implemented across three periods: November 2021, May 2022, and March 2026.
Q: How many petrol pumps does India currently operate? A: India has approximately 107,000 retail petrol pump locations serving between six and seven crore consumers daily.
Concluding with measured optimism, the minister affirmed that despite ongoing global uncertainties, India possesses the strength to navigate forthcoming challenges effectively.
(ANI)