Pradhan speaks to Saudi Oil Min for uninterrupted crude, LPG supplies

New Delhi, Mar 29 () Oil Minister Dharmendra Pradhan on Sunday discussed global oil market developments and sourcing LPG with Saudi Energy Minister Prince Abdulaziz bin Salman to ensure uninterrupted fuel supplies in the world's third largest energy consumer.

Indian refineries have cut run-rates in view of slump in fuel demand resulting from an unprecedented nationwide lockdown that has shut businesses, suspended flights, stopped trains and driven most vehicles off-road.

But the reduced run-rates of refineries also means lower output of LPG. Cooking gas demand has, however, seen a surge and India is relying on imports to keep supply lines going. Saudi not just supplies crude oil to India but also is its biggest LPG source.

"Had a video conference with HRH Prince Abdulaziz, Saudi Minister of Energy and Mr Amin Nasser, President & CEO @Saudi_Aramco. We discussed about the global oil market developments and on uninterrupted LPG supplies from Saudi Arabia to India," Pradhan tweeted.

Last week, Indian Oil Corp (IOC) and Mangalore Refineries and Petrochemicals Ltd (MRPL) had declared force majeure on crude purchases from the Middle East on plummeting fuel demand.

"HRH Prince Abdulaziz assured of LPG supplies in the coming days to support our domestic requirement," Pradhan tweeted. ANZ BALBAL