Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas

November 7, 2026 2:05 PM

E20 petrol meets prescribed quality standards, 893 samples across 27 states and UTs compliant: Ministry

The Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas has said that E20 petrol supplied by public sector oil marketing companies (OMCs) across the country, including Karnataka, conforms to prescribed quality standards, rejecting claims that fuel sold at certain retail outlets in the state contains 26-31 per cent ethanol. The ministry said Indian Oil Corporation Limited (IOCL), Bharat Petroleum Corporation Limited (BPCL) and Hindustan Petroleum Corporation Limited (HPCL) had raised concerns over the samplin...

October 4, 2026 5:18 PM

Iran says Strait of Hormuz will not reopen until conditions are met

The Strait of Hormuz will not reopen until seven Iranian conditions set out in a June interim agreement with the US are met, state media reported Iran's parliament speaker Mohammad Baqer Qalibaf as saying on Sunday. Iran presented a proposal during the UN General Assembly under which the Strait of Hormuz waterway could be reopened and normal maritime passage restored within seven days if the conditions were met, with the US replying to this proposal last week via Qatari intermediaries. "The po...

October 4, 2026 5:06 PM

Iraq says it transported 2 million barrels of crude through Strait of Hormuz

Iraq's state-owned Oil Tanker Company transported 2 million barrels of Iraqi crude aboard a very large crude carrier (VLCC) through the Strait of Hormuz, in what its director general described on Saturday as the company's first such operation in decades. The announcement means the company is transporting the crude through the strait rather than delivering it at the port of Basra, giving state oil marketer SOMO greater flexibility in how and where it sells the crude. The company's director gene...

September 14, 2026 10:12 AM

Incentive scheme aims to accelerate PNG connections, bring clean piped cooking gas to more Indian homes

India has stepped up efforts to expand access to clean and affordable cooking fuel with the launch of the Incentive Scheme for Promotion of Domestic PNG Connections, aimed at accelerating the growth of active domestic Piped Natural Gas (PNG) connections across the country. Launched on August 18, 2026, the scheme came into effect from September 1 and seeks to encourage City Gas Distribution (CGD) entities to connect more households to piped natural gas, while making better use of existing infras...

September 6, 2026 9:36 AM

US Strikes three Iranian Oil Tankers, including one near Kharg Island

US forces have said that they struck three Iranian crude oil tankers after IRGC launched ballistic missiles at two US Navy warships in regional waters. A statement by US CENTCOM said they disabled tanker Downy near Kharg Island, tanker Stark 1 near Jask and destroyed unladen tanker Kylo (also known as the Noxen), in the Gulf of Oman after directing its crew to abandon ship. The CENTCOM called the three Iranian crude oil tankers a part of a shadow network that funds the IRGC and its regional prox...

August 6, 2026 11:59 PM

Cabinet approves Rs 23,731-crore GOBARdhan Scheme to scale up compressed biogas production

The Union Cabinet, chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, on Thursday approved the GOBARdhan (Galvanizing Organic Bio-Agro Resources Dhan) National Circular Bioenergy Scheme with a total outlay of ₹23,731 crore. The scheme aims to transform India's vast organic waste resources into clean energy, rural livelihoods and economic growth. In a post on X, PM Modi said, "A vital step towards clean energy, rural prosperity and realising our collective dream of an Atmanirbhar Bharat! The Cabinet has...

July 30, 2026 11:47 PM

Fact check: Government rebuts misconceptions on ethanol-blended petrol, cites scientific validation and field data

The Centre has issued a detailed clarification on the Ethanol Blended Petrol (EBP) Programme, rebutting what it described as misleading claims circulating in the media and on social media regarding the use of E20 fuel. The government said the programme is backed by extensive scientific validation, real-world operating experience, industry data and consultations with automobile manufacturers and technical institutions. According to the Ministry of Petroleum & Natural Gas (MoPNG), the rollout...

July 30, 2026 7:49 PM

E20 fuel rollout backed by scientific studies, no evidence of widespread vehicle damage: Petroleum Ministry

The Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas on Thursday said the nationwide rollout of E20 (20 per cent ethanol-blended petrol) was carried out in a phased manner after extensive scientific validation and consultations with automobile manufacturers and technical institutions, asserting that there is no verified evidence of widespread engine damage or reduced vehicle life due to the use of higher ethanol blends. In a written reply in the Lok Sabha, Minister of State for Petroleum and Natural Gas S...

July 25, 2026 3:59 PM

Spudding begins for first appraisal well in Mahanadi Offshore Basin, boosting India’s energy security push

India marked a significant milestone in its offshore energy exploration programme on Saturday with the commencement of drilling of the first appraisal well, MN-DWN18-1-HD, in the Mahanadi Offshore Basin, a move aimed at strengthening domestic hydrocarbon production and reducing the country's dependence on energy imports. Union Minister for Petroleum and Natural Gas Hardeep Singh Puri described the launch of the appraisal well as "the beginning of a new chapter in India's journey towards energy ...

July 24, 2026 4:12 PM

Government rules out immediate move beyond E20, reaffirms safety and benefits of ethanol-blended petrol

The government on Thursday clarified that it has taken no decision to increase ethanol blending in petrol beyond 20 per cent, while reaffirming that E20 fuel is scientifically validated, safe for vehicles and has delivered substantial economic, environmental and energy security benefits. In a written reply in the Lok Sabha, Minister of State for Petroleum and Natural Gas Suresh Gopi said any future decision on introducing higher ethanol blends would be taken only after detailed scientific and t...