Puri tells Lok Sabha India's crude supply is secure despite Hormuz closure; LPG output up 28%
Petroleum Minister Hardeep Singh Puri told the Lok Sabha on 12 March 2026 that India's crude supply was secure and LPG output had been raised 28%, 13 days after the West Asia conflict disrupted the Strait of Hormuz.
Summary
Petroleum and Natural Gas Minister Hardeep Singh Puri made a statement in the Lok Sabha on 12 March 2026 on the steps taken after the conflict involving Iran, Israel and the US disrupted shipping through the Strait of Hormuz 13 days earlier; about 20% of the world's crude, natural gas and LPG passes through the strait. Puri said about 45% of India's crude imports used to transit Hormuz, but non-Hormuz sourcing had risen to about 70% from 55%, and India now buys crude from 40 countries against 27 in 2006â07, with no shortage of petrol, diesel, ATF or kerosene. A Natural Gas Control Order of 9 March 2026, issued under the Essential Commodities Act, gives homes' piped gas and CNG full priority, while an LPG Control Order of 8 March told refineries to send all propane and butane streams to the three oil marketing companies, lifting LPG output 28% in five days. India earlier imported about 60% of its LPG from the Gulf and is now buying cargoes from the US, Norway, Canada, Algeria and Russia. He said a Ujjwala (PMUY) cylinder costs ₹613 in Delhi and a non-subsidised one ₹913.
Key facts
- Date
- 12 March 2026, Lok Sabha
- Speaker of statement
- Petroleum Minister Hardeep Singh Puri
- Trigger
- Strait of Hormuz disrupted (day 13); ~20% of world crude, gas and LPG
- Crude
- Hormuz share was ~45%; non-Hormuz sourcing up from 55% to ~70%; 40 supplier countries
- Gas
- Natural Gas Control Order, 9 March 2026 (Essential Commodities Act); PNG and CNG 100% priority
- LPG
- LPG Control Order, 8 March 2026; output up 28% in 5 days; ~60% was imported from Gulf
- Prices (Delhi)
- PMUY ₹613; non-subsidised ₹913 per 14.2-kg cylinder
Practice MCQs 4 questions
According to Hardeep Singh Puri's statement of 12 March 2026, by how much was India's LPG production raised in five days through refinery directives?
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Correct answer: C â 28%
Puri said the LPG Control Order of 8 March made refineries maximise LPG yields, raising production by 28% in five days.
What share of India's crude imports was now coming from non-Hormuz routes, as per the Petroleum Minister on 12 March 2026?
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Correct answer: D â About 70%
Non-Hormuz sourcing rose to about 70% of crude imports from 55% before the conflict; about 45% used to transit Hormuz.
Consider the following about the control orders mentioned by the Petroleum Minister on 12 March 2026: 1. The Natural Gas Control Order of 9 March 2026 was issued under the Essential Commodities Act. 2. The LPG Control Order of 8 March 2026 directed refineries to channel propane and butane streams to the three oil marketing companies. Which of the above is/are correct?
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Correct answer: C â Both 1 and 2
Both are correct: the gas order was issued under the Essential Commodities Act and set a priority sequence with homes and CNG first, and the LPG order sent C3 and C4 streams to the three OMCs for domestic cooking gas.
Roughly what share of the world's crude oil passes through the Strait of Hormuz, as cited in the Lok Sabha on 12 March 2026?
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Correct answer: B â 20%
Puri said about 20% of the world's crude, 20% of its natural gas and 20% of its LPG flow through the Strait of Hormuz.