Andhra Pradesh is introducing a new policy to grant power distribution licenses to large data centers. This initiative aims to ensure a consistent and dependable electricity supply for these facilities. Companies meeting specific criteria can build and operate their own internal power distribution systems.
India is exploring higher ethanol blending in petrol and flex-fuel vehicles. This move aims to reduce reliance on imported oil. Discussions are underway with industry stakeholders. The government is preparing for increased biofuel use in transportation. This initiative seeks to boost domestic biofuel production and consumption.
It is the third time this month, and the fourth in total, that large, well-timed directional bets on the oil price have been made shortly before major announcements on the Iran war. One combined wager in March was worth $500 million, while April’s bets have together totalled some $2.1 billion.
India’s crude oil and natural gas production continued to decline in 2025-26 due to ageing fields and a lack of new discoveries, increasing import dependence. Despite policy reforms, limited foreign investment and a perception of policy instability hinder exploration efforts needed to revive domestic output.
State-run ONGC has cancelled a tender for jack-up rigs due to concerns over unusual price hikes and bid patterns, suspecting collusive practices. The company observed a nearly 60% increase in day rates within nine months, significantly exceeding market norms. ONGC aims to ensure fair competition and safeguard public funds by upholding procurement integrity.
Iran’s parliament speaker, Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf, stated on Wednesday that the Islamic Republic will not reopen the Strait of Hormuz while the US naval blockade persists. He described the blockade as a “blatant violation of the ceasefire,” asserting that a complete ceasefire is meaningless under such conditions.
The United States has granted a 30-day extension for sanctions relief on Russian seaborne oil. This decision offers crucial support to India and other nations facing oil supply disruptions. The move follows requests from several countries concerned about rising energy prices. This extension aims to stabilize global oil markets amidst ongoing geopolitical tensions.
A major oil supply disruption is underway due to the US-Israeli war with Iran and the closure of the Strait of Hormuz. This event is the worst energy crisis the world has faced, impacting crude, natural gas and refined fuel supplies. The disruption’s scale is unprecedented in daily output lost, surpassing past energy shocks.
GAIL’s Energy Fidelity vessel with a carrying capacity of 174,000 cubic meter (cbm) was flagged off on April 20 and is now en route to India. The ceremony was presided over by India’s Consul General in Houston, Texas, D C Manjunath, GAIL said in a statement.
At least two Iranian oil tankers — Hero II and Hedy — have bypassed the Persian Gulf blockade and entered the Arabian Sea, part of a wider fleet that has moved about 9 million barrels of crude despite US restrictions. Data shows dozens of Iran-linked vessels continue to pass through the Strait of Hormuz, often…