Crude production was 0.6 per cent lower at 33.07 million metric tonnes (mmt) in 2002-03, against the target of 33.28 mmt. It was, however, 3.3 per cent higher than the 32.032 mmt of crude production in 2001-02.
According to the latest data released by the petroleum ministry, crude production at 2.83 mmt during March 2003 was 2.7 per cent lower than the target of 2.913 mmt.
However, refinery production was 3.5 per cent higher than the target for the month. The refinery production was 3.7 per cent lower than the target of 116.83 mmt during 2002-03, but 4.9 per cent higher than the production of 107.274 mmt during 2001-02.
Refinery capacity utilisation during March 2003 was 103.9 per cent against 96 per cent in the same month of 2002.
During 2002-03, refinery capacity utilisation stood at 98.2 per cent, against 95.3 per cent in 2001-02.
Natural gas production was 10.3 per cent higher at 2,783 million cubic metres (mcm) during March 2003, against 2,518 mcm in March 2002. During 2002-03, the output of natural gas was 5.7 per cent higher than the 29,714 mcm produced during 2001-02.
