随着廉价原油运抵印度，汽油和柴油价格可能会下降
联邦石油和天然气部长 Hardeep Singh Puri 暗示，零售汽油和柴油价格在不久的将来可能会有所下降。这种潜在的缓解取决于价格较低的原油船队运抵印度炼油厂，以替换目前的高成本库存。
滞后效应：为什么价格尚未下降
虽然国际原油价格已经走软，但 Puri 部长澄清说，这种红利不会立即显现。目前，石油营销公司 (OMCs) 正在处理以显著较高价格购买的原油库存。
“目前，各公司持有以较高价格购买的原油库存。当以较低价格购买的原油运抵时，燃料价格有可能下降，”Puri 在北方邦松布德拉 (Sonbhadra, Uttar Pradesh) 的新闻发布会上表示。对于 OMCs 来说，这一过渡期至关重要，因为它们正在应对全球能源市场的波动以及影响霍尔木兹海峡 (Strait of Hormuz) 等供应路线的地缘政治紧张局势。
在全球波动中捍卫国内定价
在回应对成本上升的担忧时，部长为政府的定价策略进行了辩护，并指出印度在燃料价格稳定性方面的管理优于大多数国家。他指出，在 193 个联合国成员国中，只有日本的石油价格涨幅低于印度。
Puri 强调，汽油和柴油价格的总体涨幅被限制在每升约 ₹7.60 左右。他进一步强调，莫迪政府通过在 2021 年 11 月、2022 年 5 月以及最近通过降低中央消费税，积极干预以保护消费者，实际上为这两种燃料每升承担了约 ₹10 的负担。
尽管采取了这些干预措施，部长指出，由于全球成本与国内价格上限之间的不匹配，OMCs 目前正面临巨大的财务压力，每天损失约 ₹100 亿。
地缘政治紧张局势与通胀压力
The recent spike in fuel prices—rising by about ₹7.5 per litre since the escalation of the Middle East crisis—has raised alarms regarding inflation and logistics costs. Higher fuel prices directly impact supply chains and household budgets, creating a ripple effect across the economy. Industry experts have noted that the combination of elevated crude prices and a weaker Indian Rupee continues to squeeze the margins of OMCs, making the arrival of cheaper crude a vital necessity for market stability.
Economic Growth and Regional Development
Beyond energy, the Minister touched upon India's broader economic trajectory, stating the nation is steadily moving toward becoming the world’s third-largest economy. He also highlighted the economic transformation of Sonbhadra, noting its per capita income has surged from ₹43,000 in 2018 to approximately ₹1.2 lakh today. He also noted that Uttar Pradesh’s GSDP has grown from ₹13 lakh crore in 2016-17 to nearly ₹36 lakh crore, showcasing significant regional development.
Key Takeaways
- Price Reduction Potential: Petrol and diesel rates may decrease once refineries begin processing newer, cheaper crude oil stocks currently in transit.
- Government Subsidy: The central government has absorbed nearly ₹10 per litre in excise duties to shield consumers from extreme global volatility.
- OMC Financial Stress: Oil marketing companies are facing daily losses of roughly ₹1,000 crore due to high procurement costs and geopolitical disruptions.