Beauty is what you buy

India’s ethanol blending has increased from 1.4% to 20%, enhancing energy security and environmental sustainability. Oil Minister Hardeep Puri highlighted investments in ethanol blending, compressed biogas, and green hydrogen. Amid this, India plans to boost petroleum production in the Andaman Sea. The 2016 shift from production-sharing to revenue-sharing has attracted private investment and expedited returns.

India may remove import tax on U.S. liquefied natural gas to boost purchases and reduce its trade surplus with Washington. This move aligns with India’s pledge to increase U.S. energy imports and targets increased bilateral trade. Scrapping the tax would make U.S. LNG more competitive, supporting India’s growing energy needs.

GAIL (India) Ltd is likely to see a tariff increase for natural gas transportation by up to 35%, possibly boosting pre-tax earnings by Rs 3,400 crore annually. This revision is aimed at covering rising operational costs and encouraging further investment in the pipeline infrastructure.

India will manufacture five indigenous small modular reactors with private sector involvement to boost its nuclear energy program, aiming for 100 GW by 2047. The initiative addresses the growing energy needs, focuses on environmentally friendly solutions, and collaborates with France and the US. Rs 20,000 crore has been allocated for five small breeder reactors.

Adani Energy Solution Ltd has signed a Share Purchase Agreement to acquire Mahan Transmission Ltd, a Rs 2,200-crore intra-state transmission project. The project aims to establish substations and transmission lines to support power evacuation from Adani Power’s expansion unit in Madhya Pradesh, enhancing industrial growth and transmission reliability by April 2027.

Indian port authorities denied entry to the tanker Andaman Skies carrying Russian crude, citing inadequate documentation and new scrutiny on Russian oil carriers. The vessel, built in 2004, lacked certification from a recognized entity, highlighting India’s tightened regulation amid U.S. sanctions on Russia. Indian refiners have thus been constrained in buying Russian oil.

India’s nuclear energy capacity is set to rise from the current 8.18 GW to 13 GW by 2029-30 and 22.5 GW by 2032 upon completion of all sanctioned projects, with significant private sector involvement. The government aims for 100 GW nuclear capacity by 2047 to ensure energy security and sustainability.

Saudi Aramco is in talks to invest in two planned refineries in India, aiming to secure a stable outlet for its crude in the fast-growing Indian market. The refineries are being developed by Bharat Petroleum Corp (BPCL) in Andhra Pradesh and Oil and Natural Gas Corp (ONGC) in Gujarat.

Bangladesh confirmed that Adani Power’s unit has resumed full electricity supply after reducing it by half due to unpaid dues. The country is now making regular payments, and supply was restored more than two weeks ago, alleviating the risk of blackouts during the hot summer months.

LPG supply disruptions are possible in southern India as 4,000 LPG tanker trucks begin an indefinite strike from March 27. The strike follows unsuccessful negotiations with oil companies over new contract regulations, including bans on two-axle trucks and severe penalties for minor accidents.