FIPI
POLICY AND ECONOMIC OIL & GAS MARKET
Natural Gas production contracted by 7.4%
。 Refinery Products declined by 4.7%
Declining domestic production increases dependence on imported crude oil and LNG, exposing the economy to greater external risks. It also places additional emphasis on accelerating exploration under the Open Acreage Licensing Programme (OALP), enhancing recovery from mature fields through Enhanced Oil Recovery (EOR) technologies, and promoting unconventional resources such as coal bed methane, shale gas, and deepwater hydrocarbons.
Import surge & trade deficit pressure:
India's total imports increased by 26.85% to US$88.76 billion during June 2026, primarily driven by higher imports of petroleum products, crude oil, natural gas, and industrial raw materials. The value of petroleum and crude oil imports increased significantly from US$9.9 billion in June 2025 to US$14.7 billion in June 2026, reflecting the combined impact of elevated international crude oil prices and import requirements. Higher energy import bills widen the merchandise trade deficit and increase the country's exposure to global commodity price volatility and external supply shocks.
. Strong foreign exchange reserves provide a strategic cushion:
India's foreign exchange reserves standing at a comfortable US$ 676.24 billion as of July 18, 2026 (with Foreign Currency Assets at US$ 574.76 billion) provide a vital buffer. This robust reserve position ensures the necessary liquidity to finance critical energy imports and cushions the economy against sudden external shocks stemming from elevated crude oil prices and geopolitical tensions. It provides confidence to global investors and credit rating agencies during periods of external volatility. Strong reserves effectively enhance India's resilience against external shocks, particularly during periods of geopolitical conflict or commodity market volatility.
July 2026