New Delhi, March 9: India currently has a total storage capacity of crude oil and petroleum products sufficient for 74 days, ensuring the country can navigate disruptions caused by adverse situations, such as geopolitical conflicts, the Parliament was informed on Monday.
Minister of State for Petroleum and Natural Gas, Suresh Gopi, shared in a written reply to the Rajya Sabha that the government has established Strategic Petroleum Reserves (SPR) with a total capacity of 5.33 million metric tonnes (MMT), which serves as a buffer during short-term supply disruptions. These reserves are designed to meet around 9.5 days of the country’s crude oil requirements. In addition to this, Oil Marketing Companies (OMCs) across India possess storage facilities for crude oil and petroleum products, which collectively cover an additional 64.5 days. This brings the nation’s overall storage capacity to 74 days.
To further enhance the country’s petroleum reserves, the government approved the construction of two additional facilities in July 2021. These facilities, located in Chandikhol (4 MMT) in Odisha and Padur (2.5 MMT) in Karnataka, will be developed under a Public-Private Partnership (PPP) model. This expansion will increase the oil reserves by an amount equivalent to 12 days of imports.
The government has also implemented several measures to reduce the risk of supply disruptions and ensure an uninterrupted energy supply during geopolitical uncertainties. These measures include diversifying crude oil import sources, avoiding conflict zones, and strengthening diplomatic relations with key oil-producing countries and international organizations such as the International Energy Agency (IEA), the Organisation of the Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC), and the International Energy Forum (IEF).
Furthermore, India’s proven hydrocarbon reserves have been established through sustained exploration across its sedimentary basins. As of April 1, 2025, the country’s Estimated Ultimate Recovery (EUR) stands at 1,948.1 million metric tonnes (MMT) for crude oil and 1,844.3 billion cubic meters (BCM) for natural gas, based on the annual estimates under the Petroleum Resources Management System (PRMS). The balance recoverable reserves are 423.1 MMT for crude oil and 595.4 BCM for natural gas. In recent years, India’s dependence on imported crude oil has ranged from 85% to 88%, while its reliance on Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG) has been between 48% and 50%, the minister added.
