{"id":5159,"date":"2026-07-25T19:28:21","date_gmt":"2026-07-25T19:28:21","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/koshalsambada.in\/?p=5159"},"modified":"2026-07-25T19:28:21","modified_gmt":"2026-07-25T19:28:21","slug":"energy-security-in-focus-what-indias-crude-oil-lpg-and-lng-strategic-reserves-strategy-should-look-like","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/koshalsambada.in\/?p=5159","title":{"rendered":"Energy security in focus: What India\u2019s crude oil, LPG and LNG strategic reserves strategy should look like"},"content":{"rendered":"


\n<\/p>\n

\n
\n
\n
\n
\n
\n
\n
\"Energy<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n
Experts point out that India’s strategic petroleum reserve policy should evolve into a broader energy security strategy that covers crude oil, LPG, and LNG.<\/span><\/div>\n<\/section>\n<\/div><\/div>\n<\/div>\n

India\u2019s energy security has been in sharp focus since the start of the US-Iran conflict. The need for robust strategic reserves to counter impact of global supply disruptions cannot be overstated.India’s dedicated Strategic Petroleum Reserves capacity stands at 5.33 MMT, spread across Visakhapatnam, Mangaluru, and Padur, which is equivalent to roughly 9.5 days of crude oil consumption as per PIB data released in March 2026. The government has approved the Phase II expansion of 6.5 MMT at Chandikhol (Odisha) and Padur (Karnataka) under the PPP model.Once completed, the total strategic petroleum reserves capacity will increase to 11.88 MMT, enabling India to move significantly closer to the 90-day reserve target. <\/p>\n

\n

CJP Jantar Mantar Protest Updates<\/h2>\n<\/div>\n

India is working with the UAE for 30 million barrels of crude of storage capacity. But, importantly, experts point out that India’s strategic petroleum reserve policy should evolve into a broader energy security strategy that covers crude oil, LPG, and LNG. <\/p>\n

\n
\"Energy<\/p>\n

India’s Energy Security Strategy<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n

Pranav Master, Director, Crisil Intelligence advocates a three-tier strategic reserves policy: large physical reserves for crude oil, distributed operational-security reserves for LPG, and a mainly contractual or virtual reserve model for LNG, because LNG is expensive and technically difficult to store for long periods.What should India\u2019s immediate and long-term energy security plans look like? We decode:<\/span><\/p>\n

Focus on strategic petroleum reserves<\/h2>\n<\/p>\n

Experts advocate a proactive approach to maintaining strategic reserves, with long-term to medium and immediate objectives in mind.Sourav Mitra, Partner \u2013 Oil & Gas, Grant Thornton Bharat says that for crude oil, India should target a minimum of around 30 days of dedicated strategic reserves managed by Indian Strategic Petroleum Reserve Limited (ISPRL).This should be complemented by a mandatory 60 days of commercial refiner operational stock. This would bring the total national coverage to around 90 days which in line with standards set by agencies like International Energy Agency (IEA), Mitra tells TOI. <\/p>\n

\n
\"What<\/p>\n

What Are Strategic Petroleum, LPG & LNG Reserves?<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n

Sumit Ritolia, Lead analyst, Modelling and Refining at Kpler also advocated a 75-100 days of total inventory cover, in line with international best practices.\u201cGiven the country’s growing refining capacity and import dependence, expanding strategic crude storage should remain the top priority,\u201d he says.According to Pranav Master, the crude reserve policy should incorporate the following key elements:<\/p>\n

\n