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India's Proposed 28 MT Crude, 9 MT LNG, 4 MT LPG Strategic Fuel Reserves

EconomyInfrastructureSecurity & DefenceHIGH
Target:UPSC GS-IIIMPSCSSC GATeachingPrelims HighMains HighStatic GK Link
28 Aug 2026
~2 min
Source: The Hindu
Key Data:28 MT crude oil storage (proposed)9 MT LNG storage (proposed)4 MT LPG storage (proposed)41 MT combined storageSPR Phase I: 5.33 MT capacity; ~3.37 MT actual9 MT LNG ≈ 56 days of LNG imports
Bodies:Ministry of Petroleum and Natural GasPNGRBShipping Corporation of IndiaIndian Oil
Practice MCQs from today's news ▸
What This Article Covers

1.The Hindu explains India's proposed decade-long strategic fuel programme: +28 MT crude, +9 MT LNG, +4 MT LPG, aiming at roughly two months of crude/LNG cover and six weeks of LPG cover.

2.India currently has Phase-I SPR capacity of 5.33 MT with actual storage of about 3.37 MT, two LPG caverns, but no operational underground natural-gas storage facility.

3.For exams, the key takeaway is the distinction between storage capacity and usable inventory, plus the need to coordinate shipping, pipelines and replenishment—likely examiners will trap on numbers and fuel mapping.

The Big Picture
Prelims · HighMains · High

India is considering a decade-long strategic fuel programme to add 28 MT crude, 9 MT LNG and 4 MT LPG storage to buffer energy shocks. The plan is still a proposal, and analysts stress that storage alone cannot ensure energy security—deliverability through ships, pipelines and governance matters equally.

Exam Lens

Quick Exam Facts From News

Proposed Crude Reserve28 MT additional underground storage
Proposed LNG Reserve9 MT strategic LNG inventory
Proposed LPG Reserve4 MT strategic LPG reserve
Current SPR Phase I5.33 MT underground capacity; actual storage ~3.37 MT (63-64% utilisation)
Current LPG Caverns~0.14 MT capacity at Visakhapatnam and Mangaluru
LNG Import Cover9 MT ≈ 56 days of ~58 MT annual LNG imports
PNGRB-ICF Stress Test0.56-0.6 MT LNG equivalent for 20 days; ~8 tanks; ~$1 billion
Reported Programme Cost$42 billion (unconfirmed); no cess
New LPG Pipelines~1,800 km across six States; ~$0.7 billion

1-Minute Revision

  • ›Proposed Crude Reserve: 28 MT additional underground storage
  • ›Proposed LNG Reserve: 9 MT strategic LNG inventory
  • ›Target this Data: Strategic fuel programme – 28 MT crude + 9 MT LNG + 4 MT LPG = 41 MT proposed storage.
  • ›Target this Existing Capacity: SPR Phase I – 5.33 MT capacity; actual storage ~3.37 MT (63-64% utilisation).
  • ›Target this Regulator: PNGRB authorised ~1,800 km LPG pipelines across six States at ~$0.7 billion.
  • ›Target this Study: PNGRB–ICF 2030 stress test – 0.56-0.6 MT LNG equivalent; ~8 LNG tanks; ~$1 billion.

Mastered this topic? Test your knowledge with a full MCQ quiz.

Practice exam-style questions, track your score, and strengthen your recall.

Q1Static LinkageEasy

According to the article, which body authorised approximately 1,800 km of new LPG pipelines across six States?

Q2Statement-basedHard

Consider the following statements regarding India's strategic fuel storage:

1. India currently has no operational underground natural-gas storage facility.

2. The proposed strategic-fuel programme includes adding about 9 MT of crude-oil storage, 28 MT of LNG storage and 4 MT of LPG storage.

3. Phase I of the Strategic Petroleum Reserve provides 5.33 MT of underground crude-oil capacity, with actual storage of about 3.37 MT.

Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

Q3Data-centricMedium

According to the article, how many days of LNG import cover does the proposed 9 MT strategic LNG inventory represent, based on annual LNG imports of about 58 MT?

Q4Application/ImpactMedium

According to the article, which of the following best describes the 'ultimate test' of India's strategic fuel programme?

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