Government says wider LNG and crude oil sourcing strategy is reducing dependence on individual suppliers and strengthening India’s energy security against geopolitical and shipping disruptions.
India has more than doubled the number of countries from which it imports liquefied natural gas (LNG), expanding its sourcing network from six to 15 nations as part of a broader strategy to shield the country from geopolitical tensions and disruptions in global energy supply chains.
The government disclosed the expansion in a written reply in the Rajya Sabha on Monday, saying the move is aimed at reducing dependence on any single supplier, region or maritime transit route at a time when global energy markets continue to face heightened uncertainty.
Minister of State for Petroleum and Natural Gas Suresh Gopi said India has simultaneously diversified its crude oil imports, increasing the number of supplier countries from 27 to 41.
“The diversification has reduced dependence on any particular country, region or transit route and enhanced India’s ability to manage supply disruptions and market volatility,” the minister said.
The expansion of India’s LNG sourcing network marks a significant step in the country’s energy security strategy. LNG has become an increasingly important component of India’s energy mix as the government pushes to increase the share of natural gas in the economy while reducing reliance on more polluting fuels.
More from BusinessThe ministry said it continuously monitors geopolitical developments, shipping risks and global supply conditions in consultation with public sector oil and gas companies and other stakeholders to ensure uninterrupted availability of crude oil, LNG and petroleum products.
Beyond diversifying imports, the government is also expanding the country’s strategic petroleum reserves to improve preparedness against future supply shocks.
At present, Indian Strategic Petroleum Reserve Limited (ISPRL) operates three strategic crude oil storage facilities in Andhra Pradesh and Karnataka with a combined capacity of 5.33 million metric tonnes (MMT).
The Centre has also approved two commercial-cum-strategic petroleum reserve projects at Chandikhol in Odisha and Padur in Karnataka, which together will add 6.5 MMT of storage capacity once completed. However, the government did not provide an updated timeline for the commissioning of these facilities.
Separately, ONGC is developing a 1.75 MMT strategic petroleum reserve in Karnataka. As announced earlier, half of the storage capacity will be reserved for strategic use, while the remaining capacity will support ONGC’s commercial operations.
The latest measures reflect India’s long-term strategy of building a more resilient energy ecosystem by broadening its import base, strengthening fuel storage infrastructure and insulating the economy from global supply disruptions.
