India’s emergency oil cushion is thinner than many might expect. A recent RTI response has revealed that the country’s strategic crude oil reserves can last for just about 9.5 days if imports are disrupted—raising fresh questions around energy security at a time of global uncertainty.
What the RTI response says
According to information accessed from the Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas, India’s Strategic Petroleum Reserve (SPR) currently holds enough crude to meet roughly 9.5 days of national demand. This is based on existing stock levels and consumption patterns, both of which keep changing.
The data shows that while India has built storage infrastructure over the years, the actual oil stock inside these reserves is not at full capacity. As of March 2026, the government informed the Rajya Sabha that around 3.372 million metric tonnes (MMT) of crude oil is stored—about 64% of total capacity.
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Where India stores its oil
Right now, India’s SPR system is spread across three key locations:
- Visakhapatnam (Andhra Pradesh) – 1.33 MMT
- Mangaluru (Karnataka) – 1.5 MMT
- Padur (Karnataka) – 2.5 MMT
Together, these add up to a total storage capacity of 5.33 MMT.
These underground facilities are designed to act as a buffer during crises—like geopolitical tensions, supply chain disruptions, or sharp price shocks in global oil markets.
Why this matters now
India imports nearly 85% of its crude oil needs, which makes it highly vulnerable to global supply disruptions. In such a scenario, strategic reserves become the first line of defense.
But with less than 10 days of backup, the margin for error is slim. For context, many developed economies maintain reserves that can last several weeks or even months.
Expansion plans in the pipeline
The government has already acknowledged the need to scale up. Back in July 2021, it approved the expansion of the SPR network with two new projects:
- Chandikhol (Odisha) – 4 MMT capacity
- Padur Phase II (Karnataka) – additional 2.5 MMT
This will add 6.5 MMT to the existing capacity, effectively more than doubling the current storage. These projects are planned under a public-private partnership (PPP) model, which could also open the door for foreign participation and commercial storage use.
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A work in progress
India’s SPR programme dates back to January 2004, with Indian Strategic Petroleum Reserves Limited (ISPRL) set up later that year to implement it. Over two decades, the country has made steady progress—but the latest data shows there’s still a long way to go.
The key takeaway? India has built the tanks, but they’re not fully filled yet—and in a crisis, that gap could matter.
