Amid the ongoing conflict in West Asia and continued concerns over LPG supply, oil marketing companies across India may consider distributing underweight cylinders to ensure a more balanced supply of cooking gas.
Officials in the petroleum ministry rejected reports that OMCs could begin selling 10 kg of gas in 14.2 kg domestic LPG cylinders, describing such claims as “highly speculative".
However, refiners said a proposal on the matter has been submitted to the government. “This is indeed being considered, but the decision has to be taken by the govt," an official from a state-run OMC said.
Joint secretary in Ministry of Petroleum and Gas, Sujata Sharma, termed it a rumour. “There cannot be any comment or explanation to any speculation… please don’t believe in rumours. This is highly speculative," she said.
She said that bookings for refilling domestic cylinders had eased to nearly 50 lakh, while supply continued as normal.
Sharma said domestic refiners have increased LPG production, raising the share of demand met through local supply to 50–60%, compared to about 40% earlier.
The conflict in West Asia has disrupted traffic through the Strait of Hormuz, affecting oil and gas imports and prompting the government to prioritise domestic sectors while cutting supplies to commercial users.
India imports about 60% of its LPG needs, and recent supply data point to a sharp decline in incoming shipments. No fresh cargoes are currently reported to be en route to Indian ports, while only a few vessels crossed the strait last week, carrying volumes estimated to cover barely a day of the country’s demand.
Several LPG carriers headed for India are also waiting in the Persian Gulf for clearance.
