Kitchens across India Switch to Simpler Meals Due to LPG Shortage

Commercial shortage of LPG has started affecting the canteen menus across the country. Food items such as dosas, samosas, and non-vegetarian food are no longer being served due to the increased gas consumption required for cooking, reported The Economic Times.

Some companies are also installing induction cooktops, electric rice cookers, and electric roti makers. Firewood chulhas are also making a comeback, alongside simpler meals that require simpler cooking, such as packaged foods and sandwiches to keep workers fed. Supply of tea in some plants has been curtailed. 

Jindal Stainless Flags Operations Disruption Due to Fuel Shortage

Jindal Stainless Limited announced that its plants were operating at a reduced capacity due to gas shortage due to the war, reported Reuters. The company said that due to heavy dependence of stainless steel manufacturing on industrial gases such as ​propane/ LPG, and natural gas, several processes across ​their plants have been adversely impacted. 

The company also flagged pressure on supply chains and margins from ​disruptions in global ​shipping routes ⁠that have caused vessel diversions, longer transit times and cargo delays.

Oil Prices Rise Despite Trump Lifting the Sanctions on Russia

Global oil prices rose 2.7%, to more than $103 on Friday despite US President Donald Trump’s decision to lift sanctions restricting the purchase of Russian crude, reported The New York Times. 

This gain on the price of Brent crude, the global benchmark for oil, was of more than 11 percent for the week, and more than 40 percent since the start of the war in late February.

India Turns to Polluting Fuels to Ease Pressure on Gas Channels

Petroleum minister, Hardeep Singh Puri, told the Parliament that alternative fuels such as kerosene, biomass, and fuel oil are being activated to ease pressure on LPG and gas channels, reported Bloomberg.

Additionally, the ministry of environment has also advised the state pollution control board to allow commercial kitchens to pellets made of municipal waste, coal, kerosene, and biomass.

Trump Announces $300 billion Oil Refinery Investment with Reliance Industries

US President Donald Trump announced that the United States will be constructing a new oil refinery for the first time in the last five decades in Brownsville, Texas. The refinery project will be developed by America First Refining, with involvement from India’s Reliance Industries, reported Hindustan Times.

The project first gained momentum in February when America First Refining secured a nine-figure investment from a global energy major at a ten-figure valuation, providing a financial boost to the project. 

India Buys 30 Million Barrels of Russian Oil After US Waiver 

India has purchased 30 million barrels of Russian oil after the US issued a 30 day waiver allowing the country to buy shipments already stranded at sea, reported Times of India. 

Following the waiver, Indian refiners, Indian Oil Corporation and Reliance Industries bought up nearly all available Russian cargoes in the spot market. Most of the crude has already been loaded up onto the tankers and was moving through Asian waters without committed to any buyers. 

India May Boost Coal Usage for Summer as West Asia Crisis Hit LNG Supplies

India may lean more on coal usage to meet peak power demand in summer as Liquified Petroleum Gas supplies tightens due to the US-Israel War on Iran, reported Reuters.

According to the report, the power ministry is looking to bring coal power plants out of planned outages and asking generators to avoid shutting down during peak summer months.

Kremlin Says War in Iran Boosted Demand for Russian Energy

The Kremlin said the war in Iran has fuelled significant demand for Russian oil and gas, boosting exports that were affected by sanctions linked to Russia's war on Ukraine, reported Reuters. The Russian oil which was selling at a discount for $10-$13 before the US and Israel waged war on Iran, is now selling at a premium of $4-$5 over Brent upon delivery to India in March or early April.