The government is committed towards ensuring energy security, affordability and accessibility for every citizen, said Hardeep Singh Puri, Union minister for petroleum and natural gas.
India’s oil marketing companies (OMCs) might not be able to cut prices, despite sliding crude prices, as high LPG under-recovery, inventory losses and weak gross refining margins (GRMs) weigh on the firms’ margins.
Energy experts told Moneycontrol that the companies are unlikely to cut fuel prices as OMC profitability has dipped in the current fiscal so far compared to last year.
In line with the increase in sales tax, petrol prices in Bengaluru rose to Rs 102.84 per litre from Rs 99.84 per litre, and diesel prices rose to Rs 88.95 a litre from Rs 85.93 in the city.
Healthier margins would be required to cut pump prices by the oil marketing companies in the country, said energy experts.
OPEC+’s ministerial committee has confirmed that the group’s production would remain unchanged till mid-2024.
After a gap of almost two years, the OMCs, including Indian Oil Corporation Ltd, Bharat Petroleum Corporation Ltd and Hindustan Petroleum Corporation Ltd, had on March 14 slashed fuel prices in the country by Rs 2 per litre.
Petrol and diesel prices soar in Andhra Pradesh, Telangana, and Kerala, contrasting with lower rates in smaller states and UTs due to varying tax rates.
There will be a reduction in the Retail Selling Price (RSP) of petrol and diesel at Kavaratti and Minicoy by around Rs 5.2 per litre. In Andrott and Kalpeni it will be reduced by around Rs 15.3 per litre, the release said.
With global crude oil prices trading around $80 a barrel since late 2023 and oil marketing companies turning profitable, consumers have been expecting a cut in fuel prices
According to ICRA estimates, OMCs’ net realisation was higher by Rs 11/litre for petrol and Rs 6/litre for diesel vis-à-vis international product prices in January 2024
Amid media reports of fuel price reduction, the Consortium of Indian Petroleum Dealers has written a letter to government to immune dealers from the losses incurred by them during instances of sudden price cuts.
With international crude oil prices cooling down in 2023 from high levels witnessed in the previous year, expectations are high for price reduction of diesel and petrol by oil marketers in 2024.
Crude prices have been declining steadily and hit a four-month low on November 16. This may lead to oil marketing companies (OMCs) such as Indian Oil Corporation, Bharat Petroleum Corporation, and Hindustan Petroleum Corporation reducing fuel prices soon.
Three state-owned fuel retailers — Indian Oil Corporation (IOC), Bharat Petroleum Corporation Ltd (BPCL) and Hindustan Petroleum Corporation Ltd (HPCL) — which control roughly 90 per cent of the market, have kept petrol and diesel prices on freeze for a record 18 months in a row.
India is already the world’s fourth largest refining hub and we are going to end up as the second largest refining place, Puri said while highlighting the Modi government’s success in areas of trade and foreign policy.
Vetsa Ramakrishna Gupta, Director (Finance) at BPCL, said the company could decide on price revision if crude oil prices hover around $75 per barrel on a long-term basis.
Following the increase in VAT, retail prices of petrol (in Mohali) rose to Rs 98.95 a litre and of diesel to Rs 89.25 per litre, fuel pump owners said on Sunday.
OMCs are expected to pass on the benefits to the consumers as their performance is now 'close to normalcy, a senior petroleum ministry official has said
In Delhi, petrol costs Rs 96.72 per litre while diesel is selling at Rs 89.62 a litre. On the other hand, in Mumbai, petrol is retailing at Rs 106.31, while diesel prices are Rs 94.27.
Fuel prices in major metro cities of India such as Delhi,Mumbai and Chennai have been steady over the last eleven months.
Oil prices gained about 2 percent on April 28 after U.S. data showed crude output was declining while fuel demand was growing.
India imports a majority of its crude oil requirements from Middle-Eastern countries, Saudi Arabia and Iraq. Now lately, Russia has joined the fray.
Petrol and diesel in Delhi cost Rs 96.72 per litre and Rs 89.62 a litre, respectively. In Mumbai, petrol is being sold for Rs 106.31 per litre and diesel for Rs 94.27 per litre.
Petrol and diesel in Delhi cost Rs 96.72 and Rs 89.62 a litre, respectively. In Mumbai, petrol is being sold for Rs 106.31 per litre and diesel for Rs 94.27.