STATE OIL FIRMS
ATF price hiked 1.2% after a 6.5% cut seen in June
Jet fuel prices saw a 1.2% hike on Monday, with Aviation Turbine Fuel (ATF) rising to Rs 96,148.38 per kl in Delhi, following a previous 6.5% reduction on June 1. In Mumbai, ATF reached Rs 89,908.30 per kl. Meanwhile, commercial LPG prices for hotels and restaurants were cut by Rs 30 per 19-kg cylinder to Rs 1,646.
BPCL sees nearly flat annual crude processing, executive says
Bharat Petroleum Corp (BPCL) anticipates no major changes in its annual crude processing for the current fiscal year despite a planned maintenance shutdown. BPCL will temporarily close a 120,000 bpd crude unit at its 310,000 bpd Kochi refinery for a month starting mid-September, stated Sanjay Khanna, BPCL’s head of refineries. Last fiscal year, BPCL processed nearly 800,000 bpd across its three refineries. BPCL is also expanding its Bina refinery to 220,000 bpd by mid-2027 and constructing a petrochemical plant to be operational by mid-2028.
After 7 years and $1.2 bn investment, ONGC offers stake in Deen Dayal gas field
After investing nearly USD 1.2 billion over seven years with limited success, the state-owned Oil and Natural Gas Corporation (ONGC) is actively searching for partners to salvage the Deen Dayal gas field in the KG basin of the Bay of Bengal. On June 12, ONGC issued a call for expressions of interest from international oil and gas firms possessing the necessary technical expertise and financial capability to participate as partners, aiming to develop a viable strategy for the field, as per the tender document.
Govt headhunter finds no one suitable for HPCL top job
The Public Enterprises Selection Board (PESB) has rejected all candidates it interviewed for the top job at Hindustan Petroleum Corp Ltd (HPCL), marking the third time in three years that the board has rejected all applicants for CEO roles at state oil firms. The board advised the ministry of petroleum and natural gas to choose an appropriate course of selection, including the search-cum-selection committee (SCSC) or as deemed appropriate with the approval of the competent authority.
New govt not in favour to sell stake in OMCs, says Oil Minister Puri
India's oil minister, Hardeep Singh Puri, has announced plans to bring petrol, diesel, and natural gas under the Goods and Services Tax (GST) as part of the new cabinet. Puri emphasized that the government is not in favor of stake sales in state-run oil firms, following the scrapping of the Bharat Petroleum Corporation Ltd (BPCL) divestment process in 2022. The Indian firms are also in talks for a term oil deal with Russia.
Government seeks candidates for new chief at Indian Oil
The petroleum ministry recommended a tenure extension for SM Vaidya, but the prime minister's office rejected it. Speculation arises about Vaidya's future as his term nears an end.
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Reliance-BP and Shell-MRPL jet fuel sales take wing in April
Reliance-BP and Shell-MRPL, the two private sector joint ventures, have made extraordinary gains in a year, taking their combined market share in the ATF market to 10.3% in April from 6.3% in the same month last year, according to industry data.
India offers a special auction of discovered small oil and gas fields
The Indian government is offering three small oil and gas fields in an auction closing on July 15. The Directorate General of Hydrocarbons announced the bid round, with two fields in Mumbai offshore and one coal bed methane field in West Bengal. These fields were previously discovered but left undeveloped. Private players have the opportunity for exploration and full pricing and marketing freedom.
ONGC's high investments to delay deleveraging: S&P
S&P Global Ratings stated that increased investments by Oil and Natural Gas Corp (ONGC) will slow its deleveraging over the next 12-24 months, affecting its 'bbb+' standalone credit profile. Despite a 2-3% drop in domestic production and lower realizations in FY2024, ONGC's EBITDA rose to Rs 1.1 lakh crore due to strong performance from subsidiaries MRPL and HPCL. S&P forecasts EBITDA to remain around Rs 1 lakh crore for FY2025 and FY2026, supported by increased production from the Krishna Godavari basin and international assets.
PSBs ask US to route advisories via finance ministry
Executives from some of the top lenders, including State Bank of India, Punjab National Bank and Canara Bank, met with a six-member US Treasury delegation last month. The discussions focused on Russian payments and a possible breach of the internationally imposed $60 a barrel purchase price on Russian crude.
Rouble firms to strongest since late January vs dollar
The Russian rouble reached its highest level since January against the dollar, supported by high interest rates, capital controls, and increased state forex sales. Presidential decree mandated capital controls, and the central bank's hawkish stance on inflation supports the rouble. Brent crude oil prices fell to $82.24 a barrel.
Bank curbs hit ONGC's plans to gain 20% stake in Russia oilfield
ONGC, hindered by banking restrictions, faces challenges in paying its share to the abandonment fund for Russia's Sakhalin-1 field, obstructing its efforts to regain a 20% stake in the oilfield. Banking constraints prevent the repatriation of dividends from another Russian field, Vankor, leaving funds inaccessible outside Russia. ONGC Videsh, ONGC's subsidiary, aims to transfer the abandonment fund, necessary for project closure and environmental safety, but discussions with Russian authorities seek alternatives amid banking limitations.
Oil firms blamed for ethanol stock pile-up
India's ethanol production capacity was about 13.80 billion litres per year in November 2023, of which 8.75 billion litres were molasses-based and about 5.05 billion litres grain-based, according to government data. The production capacity was about 4.20 billion litres in 2014.
Reliance seeks access to ATF pipelines, storages of PSU oil firms
RIL aims to expand its market share in aviation turbine fuel (ATF) by accessing pipelines at major Indian airports like Delhi, Mumbai, Bengaluru, Hyderabad, Kochi, and Lucknow, competing with state-owned firms like Indian Oil Corporation (IOC), Bharat Petroleum Corporation Ltd (BPCL), and Hindustan Petroleum Corporation Ltd (HPCL).
IOC, BPCL, HPCL post Rs 81,000 cr record profit in FY24
The retailers have resisted calls to revert to daily price revision and pass on softening in rates to consumers on grounds that prices continue to be extremely volatile - rising on one day and falling on the other - and that they needed to recoup losses incurred in the year when they kept rates lower than cost.
Oil & gas PSUs cut 15,700 jobs in 6 years even as revenue doubles
Over the span of six years, state-operated oil and gas enterprises reduced their workforce by 15,700 positions, constituting 14% of their total employees, despite a near doubling of their revenues. This downsizing trend particularly affected non-managerial roles.
Reliance renews bid for US license to import Venezuelan oil: Sources
Indian oil refiner Reliance Industries has resubmitted a request to the US for authorization to import crude oil from Venezuela, allowing it to resume oil trade between the OPEC producer and Venezuela. French oil producer Maurel & Prom has also been granted a license to conduct oil and gas operations in Venezuela for the next two years. The US did not renew a general license for Venezuela to export oil and fuel to its chosen markets in April, but some individual authorizations to foreign firms seeking to do oil business with Venezuela would be issued.
Oil PSUs' output from overseas fields up a tad
The share of India's state companies in oil and gas production from overseas fields increased to 19.9 million metric tonnes of oil equivalent (MMTOE) in 2023-24 from 19.5 MMTOE in the previous year. Production at Russia's Skahalin-1 project normalised during the financial year, after being badly affected in 2022 following the launch of the Russia-Ukraine war.
FIFA seals closer ties to Saudi Arabia with World Cup sponsor deal for oil firm Aramco
FIFA strengthens ties with Saudi Arabia through Aramco sponsorship for upcoming World Cup events. The undisclosed deal is expected to be FIFA's wealthiest yet, building on existing connections between FIFA President Gianni Infantino and Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman.
Exceeding target: Oil PSUs made a capex of ₹1.28 lakh cr in FY24
State-run oil companies exceeded capex targets, with IndianOil leading in spending. ONGC focused on drilling more wells for energy prospects. HPCL invested in a refinery project, while GAIL and Oil India also increased spending.
Oil at $100? Will oil prices hit a century this summer as a global shortage takes hold?
Oil prices surged above $90 a barrel due to military tensions between Israel and Iran, compounded by global supply shocks. Mexico cutting crude exports and other disruptions are intensifying fears of inflation. This supply crunch is turbocharging an oil rally, potentially pushing Brent crude to $100, impacting global economies and Biden's reelection chances.
India to build first commercial crude oil strategic storage
India plans to build its first commercial crude oil storage at Padur, Karnataka, with 2.5 million tonnes capacity. The project under ISPRL will be operated in a PPP model, with India retaining emergency oil usage rights. Deadline for bids is April 22.
ONGC energises govt kitty with ₹7,224 crore dividend
ONGC's dividend contribution to the state was almost double the ₹3,636 crore dividend by Indian Oil Corporation (IOC), nearly three times Bharat Petroleum Corporation's ₹2,413 crore, close to four times GAIL's ₹1,863 crore and about ten times Oil India's ₹737 crore.These are interim dividends and a final instalment usually comes after the companies declare annual earnings.
Government allows UAE's Adnoc to export oil from Indian strategic storage
In an order, the ministry said the condition of export being allowed only through IOC will continue, but "AMI (Adnoc Marketing International (India) RSC Limited India) is exempted from STE conditions and is allowed to re-export crude oil from their commercial stockpile at Mangalore strategic petroleum reserve, at their own cost".
India stops taking Russian oil delivered on Sovcomflot tankers
Amid US sanctions, all Indian refiners, including major ones like Indian Oil, Bharat Petroleum and Hindustan Petroleum are rejecting Russian crude transported by PJSC Sovcomflot tankers. Scrutiny extends to vessel ownership to avoid ties with sanctioned entities. Other oil ships carrying Russian cargo also are facing delays off the South Asian coast.
India stands firm on buying Russian oil amidst sanctions; EAM Jaishankar says Moscow has never hurt New Delhi
India's External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar reaffirmed India's stance on buying Russian oil. During his visit to Germany for the Munich Security Conference, he stated that Europe should understand that India cannot have a view of Russia that is identical to the European one.
Petrobras in talks for projects with Gulf, Indian, Chinese firms, CEO says
Jean Paul Prates said Petrobras has also formed task forces with Indian explorer Oil and Natural Gas Corp and refiner Bharat Petroleum Corp Ltd to look at projects in Brazil as well as overseas, in refining and renewables. The Indian firms already own stakes in Brazilian oil and gas blocks.
FM Sitharaman pushes equity support to oil firms to next fiscal year
Finance Minister Sitharaman has deferred the Rs 15,000 crore equity infusion for fuel retailers to support energy transition projects. The budget documents did not provide any funds either in the current fiscal or the next for filling of the strategic reserves.
India may halve Budget support to state-run oil firms for energy transition
Modi government had set aside Rs 35,000 crore in the 2023-24 budget for “priority capital investments towards energy transition and net zero objectives, and energy security.” This included Rs 30,000 crore to be allocated to state-owned fuel retailers, with the rest earmarked for strategic petroleum reserves.
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