Energy relations between India, the world's third biggest oil importer and consumer, and Saudi Arabia have soured as global oil prices spiked
Indian state refiners prepare to cut May Saudi oil imports
India, the world's third-biggest oil importer and consumer, imports about 84% of its overall crude needs with over 60% of that coming from Middle Eastern countries
Iraq was the top oil supplier to India in 2020 and a reduction in long-term Basra crude supplies could erode Baghdad's market share in the world's third largest oil importer and consumer
In March, BPCL had increased its stake in BORL by conversion of Rs 650-crore worth of warrants into shares, raising its stake to 63.38 per cent from 50 per cent
China is seeing a demand recovery in infrastructure and manufacturing sectors. Countries, like South Korea and Japan, have also placed quotes for importing petroleum products from India amid lockdown
However, energy prices can reverse direction sharply and suddenly
India opens up strategic oil reserves for foreign companies
The share price of Indian refining companies saw a spike on Wednesday on likely higher refining margins as globally US refining capacity takes a hit due to Hurricane Harvey.On the BSE, the Hindustan Petroleum Corporation (HPCL) stock gained 3.71 per cent to close at Rs 484.75, Bharat Petroleum Corporation (BPCL) gained 3.18 per cent to Rs 521 and Reliance Industries (RIL) gained 2.12 per cent and closed at Rs 1,564.15, while Indian Oil Corporation (IOC) gained the most at 3.97 per cent to close at Rs 451.85. "The stocks have gained on the expectation of better margins and rightly so, as the US cyclone situation has put out some of US's refining capacities and with low crude prices, this will be a positive impact for Indian refiners," said an analyst with a domestic brokerage firm who did not wish to be identified. GRM is the difference between crude oil price and the combined value of petroleum products produced by a refinery by processing a barrel of oil.With the onset of winters ...