Mumbai: India has reduced natural gas supplies to several industries after a sudden halt in liquefied natural gas exports from Qatar, one of its main suppliers. The decision was taken as a precaution to manage limited supplies and avoid a larger crisis if the disruption continues.
Energy companies informed industrial customers that gas deliveries would be cut by around 10 to 30 percent. The reduction mainly affects sectors such as fertilisers, petrochemicals and other energy intensive industries. Officials said the move was carefully planned to ensure that essential commitments are honoured and contracts are not violated.
The supply disruption began after Qatar stopped LNG production amid rising tensions in the Gulf region. The situation has also affected shipping routes through the Strait of Hormuz, a key channel for global oil and gas transport. As a result, global gas prices and freight costs have increased sharply.
India depends heavily on imported LNG to meet its growing energy demand. While the country has some crude oil reserves that can last for several weeks, natural gas storage is limited. This has made the government and energy companies act quickly to conserve supplies.
Officials said efforts are underway to secure additional LNG cargoes from other countries, including suppliers in the United States and Africa. However, buying gas on the spot market is becoming more expensive due to rising global demand and supply uncertainty.
Energy experts warn that if the disruption in the Gulf region continues, competition for available LNG shipments may intensify, pushing prices even higher. For now, industries across India are adjusting to lower gas supplies while the government closely monitors the situation and explores alternative energy options.