After the government eased restrictions on businesses and offices in the later stages of a 68-day lockdown, India's gas demand has risen by around 50 percent from April.
The lockdown ends on 31 May but the government has allowed chemical plants, factories and downstream industries to restart. Increased gas demand will also likely boost LNG receipts, with the country dependent on imported fuel for more than half of its gas needs.
Gail, the country's biggest supplier of the fuel, has increased sales to around 75 million m³/d from an average 50 million m³/d in the first half of April. Fertilizer companies and refineries are among the biggest buyers. Fertilizer plants are the biggest consumers, with the onset of harvesting spurring demand for urea and tractors.
Gail sold 96 million m³/d of gas in October-December and delivered 110 million m³/d, including gas marketed by other companies, through its network. Volumes from other gas marketers have also increased.
Total gas consumption in March was 139 million m³/d, with fertilizers accounting for 30 percent of usage. City gas companies and refineries together accounted for another 35 percent of demand.
