After Russia, US hints at oil for India on concessional terms

By Subhash Narayan

New Delhi, Sep 18 (IANS) The US may offer oil and gas to India on concessional terms from its own reserves to help the latter tide over any shortages arising from the drone attacks on Saudi Arabian Oil Company, or Aramco, that have caused the biggest-ever disruption in global crude oil supplies.

Diplomatic sources here said that supply details would be discussed in detail during the visit of the official Indian delegation to the US stating September 21, where Prime Minister Narendra Modi is also scheduled to meet US President Donald Trump. The delegation also includes a large number of Indian business honchos, including chiefs of public and private sector oil companies.

"We can expect Indian oil companies to sign memoranda of understanding with their US counterparts for increasing oil imports to meet the country's domestic demand. Saudi Arabia meets close to 20 per cent of oil needs of the country and if there is a supply disruption, the US can become a dependable ally if terms of such supplies are favourable," one source said.

India has also sounded Russia for increasing their oil supplies. Rosneft PJSC has agreed to assist India with its energy security efforts against the backdrop of the drone attacks on the Saudi oil facilities. Rosneft Chairman Igor Sechin conveyed this during his meeting with Petroleum Minister Dharmendra Pradhan on Tuesday.

The talks with US on oil supplies hinges on the terms of exports. The sources said that the US could offer concessions oil exports on par with the terms India enjoyed with Iran. The Islamic Republic offered cheaper freight and a 60-day credit period to Indian importers such Indian Oil Corporation, Mangalore Refinery and Petrochemicals (MRPL) and Nayara Energy (formerly Essar Oil).

"The offer has been indicated and this needs to be worked out in detail when the delegation level visit happens later this month. Transportation cost is an issue to bring oil from the US," the diplomatic source quoted earlier said.

Though Indian oil companies have started importing oil from the US for the past couple of years, the quantity remains miniscule and forms just about 1 per cent of country's total oil imports. But this quantity can grow with the US shale oil market becoming relevant again at current crude levels and an increase in total rig count in the world's largest oil guzzling nation.

"The rig count in US has risen sharply in past few months (1,038 now) indicating that oil production there is on the rise. One estimate suggests that the US will pump in additional 4 million barrels of crude oil in the next couple of years. This provides ample opportunity for India to tie up long term contracts there. Already, spot purchase contracts from US have seen a rise," said a government official aware of the developments.

The emergence of the US as a major oil supplying nation indicates that it could be the biggest gainer in any disruption in global oil production.

The shift to the US would not be sudden as gas transportation company GAIL, oil marketing firm Bharat Petroleum Corporation Ltd (BPCL) and the country's largest oil refiner Indian Oil Corporation have sealed deals for supplies of US crude earlier as well. The shale oil price there now has also become very competitive in comparison to Middle-East and Gulf crude.

In fact, the narrowing of price differential between the international crude oil benchmark Brent and Dubai crude has made US oil more competitive even after higher transportation charges. A discount of $ 2-4 per barrel on American oil over Dubai crude makes it cover freight costs.

(Subhash Narayan can be contacted at subhash.n@ians.in)