The average cost of procurement of crude oil was $19 per barrel, as compared to $60 a barrel prevailing during January 2020
India is second biggest growth driver of primary energy consumption in the world, behind China.
The forward premium comes down when the demand for the spot is more than the future dollar
Leading OPEC producers Saudi Arabia and Abu Dhabi have said they will increase output while cutting prices, giving big consumers the chance to fill up at discounted prices
So far, Abu Dhabi National Oil Co is the only foreign company storing oil in India's strategic reserves, at Mangalore, also in Karnataka
India's demand for crude is assessed at 8.2 million bbl/d by 2040, while domestic production will remain relatively flat at around 1 million bbl/d
Saudi Oil Minister, on his second visit to India in three weeks, discussed with its Indian counterpart Dharmendra Pradhan the 60 million tonne (MT) a year mega oil refinery cum petrochemical complex