Govt simplifies oil, gas block processes; provides for self-certification, deemed approval

New Delhi: In perhaps the most far-reaching easing of rules, the government has simplified procedures for oilNSE -2.56 % and gas exploration and production by providing for self certification for a host of compliance, such as a discovery notification and deemed consent for investment in fields in a stipulated time. With a view to make…

Govt distributes 11 lakh free LPG cylinders to Ujjwala beneficiaries in Maharashtra

Indian Oil Corporation Ltd along with other Oil Marketing Companies (OMCs) have distributed more than 11 lakh free LPG cylinders under the Ujjwala (PMUY) beneficiaries under the Pradhan Mantri Garib Kalyan Yojana in Maharashtra, the government said on Sunday. While the nation is under lockdown to fight the COVID-19 crisis, a scheme to provide relief…

Centre to cash in on slump in global crude prices, build up vast reserves

KOCHI: Amid the Covid-19 threat, the central government has decided to store up 5 million metric tonnes (MMT) of strategic crude oil to ensure energy security in these testing times. The oil will be stored at the Strategic Petroleum Reserves (SPR) storages at Vizag, Mangaluru and Padur near Udupi which will ensure uninterrupted fuel supply…

State tax coffers suffer as demand for fuel dries up

With economic activity at a standstill due to the lockdown, the total taxes collected by the Centre and state governments are bound to be impacted. As state government taxes are more consumption-oriented, they are feeling a greater pinch. Mint takes a look. Why are state govts’ tax collections down? Sales tax/value-added tax (VAT) on petroleum…

OPEC Producers See Market Share Evaporate In India

The world’s third-biggest oil importer, India, saw its imports from OPEC producers slump to a 19-year-low in the fiscal year 2019/2020 ended in March, Reuters reported on Thursday, citing data from trade and industry sources. At the same time, India imported more oil from the United States, the Mediterranean, and Latin America. India’s refiners have…

Can’t pay extra profit to govt from Barmer block as oil prices crashed: Vedanta in HC

The Delhi High Court has sought the Centre’s response on the Vedanta Ltd plea that the contract to operate Barmer oil block be extended till 2030 without having to pay 10 per cent extra to the government as global oil prices have crashed due to COVID-19 pandemic. Vedanta has contended that if it has to…

Govt alters strategic divest plan, more HPCL-ONGC-like deal on cards

NEW DELHI – In a major change in stance, the disinvestment department may look at strategic stake sale of smaller public sector companies to larger ones instead of privatising large state-owned companies, two senior finance ministry officials said. With the COVID-19 pandemic and its impact on the stock market, there has been erosion in value…

India running out of space to store oil. Petrol pumps almost full

India is quickly running out of space to store a swelling stockpile of fuel as every possible container – including those in the 66,000 pump stations nationwide – threatens to overflow. Refiners in India, the world’s third-biggest oil consumer, have filled 95% of about 85 million barrels of fuel storage capacity, according to officials at…

Indian Refiners export diesel to China as Beijing recovers from Covid-19

Indian refiners have started exporting commodities like diesel, a large share of which is going to China, where economy is on a recovery path. This comes as fuel sales have dropped by more than half and product storage facilities are getting exhausted. According to reports, the demand for diesel for the first half of April…