In response to geopolitical tensions and supply chain risks, the Indian government has expanded its liquefied natural gas (LNG) sourcing from six to 15 countries. This strategic move is intended to mitigate challenges related to maritime transit and enhance energy security. Additionally, the country has broadened its crude oil sourcing from 27 to 41 countries, as noted by the Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas in a written response to an unstarred question.
Minister of State for Petroleum and Natural Gas, Suresh Gopi, highlighted that this diversification reduces reliance on specific nations, regions, or transit routes, thereby improving India’s resilience against supply disruptions and market fluctuations. The recent increase in LNG sourcing is a significant development, while the expansion in crude oil sourcing had been previously reported amid disruptions in energy shipments from West Asia.
The ministry emphasized its ongoing efforts to monitor potential threats to energy supplies and assess global conditions in collaboration with public-sector oil and gas companies. The government is committed to ensuring a steady supply of crude oil, LNG, and petroleum products through continuous evaluation and appropriate actions.
Furthermore, plans to enhance India’s strategic petroleum storage capacity were outlined, with the Indian Strategic Petroleum Reserve Limited establishing three facilities in Andhra Pradesh and Karnataka, collectively holding 5.33 million metric tonnes of crude oil.
