India currently has a storage capacity for crude oil and petroleum products that can last for 74 days, providing a buffer against disruptions like geopolitical conflicts. The government has established Strategic Petroleum Reserves with a total capacity of 5.33 million metric tonnes, which can cover about 9.5 days of crude oil requirement. Additionally, Oil Marketing Companies in the country have storage facilities that can last for 64.5 days, bringing the total national capacity to 74 days.
To enhance the petroleum reserves, the government approved the establishment of two new facilities in July 2021, with a total storage capacity of 6.5 million metric tonnes. These facilities, located in Chandikhol (4 MMT) in Odisha and Padur (2.5 MMT) in Karnataka, will increase the oil reserve equivalent to 12 days of imports.
In efforts to mitigate supply disruptions and ensure an uninterrupted energy supply chain during geopolitical uncertainties, the government has diversified crude oil import sources, avoided conflict zones, and strengthened diplomatic ties with major oil-producing countries and international organizations like the International Energy Agency (IEA), the Organisation of the Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC), and the International Energy Forum (IEF).
India’s proven hydrocarbon reserves have been established through continuous exploration efforts across sedimentary basins. As of April 1, 2025, the country’s proved Estimated Ultimate Recovery (EUR) stands at 1,948.1 Million Metric Tonnes (MMT) for crude oil and 1,844.3 Billion Cubic Meter (BCM) for natural gas, based on annual estimates under the Petroleum Resources Management System (PRMS). The proven reserves (Balance Recoverable Reserves) are 423.1 MMT for crude oil and 595.4 BCM for natural gas.
Over the past five years, India’s import dependence on crude oil has ranged from 85% to 88%, and on Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG) from 48% to 50%, according to the minister.
