EXCLUSIVE: PSU oil cos seek govt nod to export jet fuel

Moneycontrol.com

Worried of lower domestic demand in their profitable jet fuel business, state-run oil marketing companies (OMCs) have written to the petroleum ministry seeking permission to export aviation turbine fuel (ATF). This follows the decision by airline companies—the only customers for jet fuel—to directly import ATF to save on taxes levied by state governments.

Bharat Petroleum, Hindustan Petroleum and Indian Oil Corp are three state-run companies for whom selling ATF is a key source of profit and contributes around 5% to their overall revenues.

"OMCs have written to the ministry to get permission to export ATF," a senior official at one of the state-owned oil marketing companies told moneycontrol.com.

"For instance, regions in West and East Asia produce crude but they import around 10 million tonnes annually. We will soon start marketing the commodity in international markets."

 Currently, OMCs together produce 5.5 million tonnes of ATF and are awaiting a nod from the ministry for exporting the commodity, though a decision on the matter is expected to take some time.

 Officially, oil companies are denying any such move.

"There is nothing of that sort happening," a Bharat Petroleum Corporation spokesperson told Moneycontrol.com.

Indian Oil Corporation too has denied the move.

"As and when there is any such development, we will make an announcement. But there is nothing as of now," the spokesperson said.

 Earlier, when airlines got an approval from the Director General of Foreign Trade (DGFT) to import ATF, oil retailers had opposed the government's decision. They pointed out that importing ATF would mean an undue burden on port infrastructure in the county. They had even said they will not be able to share any infrastructure facility at any port location, something airlines wanted to hire, once they start importing fuel.

 It may be recalled that in 1996, OMCs were allowed to export ATF, when there were not many airlines operating in the country.  However, in 2005, the government imposed restrictions on jet fuel exports.