78.75 percent of crude oil requirement met from imports; country self-sufficient in refinery capacity: Moily

Minister of Petroleum and Natural Gas Dr. M. Veerappa Moily on Tuesday said Petroleum Planning and Analysis Cell (PPAC) has reported that as per the original estimates (OE), the estimated demand of petrol, diesel and LPG is 16,335 MT, 73,500 MT and 16,712 MT respectively in the country in the year 2013-14

In a written reply to the Rajya Sabha, Moily said crude oil from which these products are derived has to be largely (78.75 percent import) imported.

Dr. Moily also said: "As per the working group report of his for the 12th five year plan, the estimated demand of petroleum products during 2016-17 would be 186.2 Million Metric Tonne (MMT).

The minister further said that as on 01.07.2013, the refining capacity in the country is 215 Million Metric Tonnes Per Annum (MMTPA) which is more than the domestic demand of products. During 2012-13, the production of petroleum products in the country, including production from fractionators was 217.8 MMT (Provisional) as against the demand of 155.4 MMT.

"Thus, the present refining capacity is adequate to meet the demand of petroleum products in the country in near future on an overall basis. However, some products like LPG and Lubes are in deficit, which are being imported. The net import (Prov.) of LPG and Lubes was 6,093 Thousand Metric Tonnes (TMT) (Value Rs. 30,402 crore) and 1,409 TMT (Value Rs. 8,877 Core) respectively during the year 2012-13," he added.