Indian oil companies advance refining agenda
The country’s refinery sector continues to grow, but remains largely state-controlled
India’s state-backed oil companies are making some progress with the country’s plans to expand its refining capacity, their latest quarterly results reveal. But privatisation efforts do not appear to have progressed, and upstream activity remains relatively muted. Indian Oil Corporation (IOC) is continuing its programme of refinery capacity expansions, with three projects underway, as well as building and upgrading various petrochemical and other units at its facilities. IOC is in the process of adding 17.3mn t/yr of refining capacity, with capacity at the Panipat refinery set to increase to 25mn t/yr from 15mn t/yr, at the Gujarat to 18mn t/yr from 13.7mn t/yr and at the Barauni refinery to
Also in this section
23 January 2026
A strategic pivot away from Russian crude in recent weeks tees up the possibility of improved US-India trade relations
23 January 2026
The signing of a deal with a TotalEnergies-led consortium to explore for gas in a block adjoining Israel’s maritime area may breathe new life into the country’s gas ambitions
22 January 2026
As Saudi Arabia pushes mining as a new pillar of its economy, Saudi Aramco is positioning itself at the intersection of hydrocarbons, minerals and industrial policy
22 January 2026
New long-term deal is latest addition to country’s rapidly evolving supply portfolio as it eyes role as regional gas hub






