Indian Refiners Delay Maintenance to Meet Fuel Demand

• Indian refiners postpone maintenance shutdowns to ensure steady fuel supply.
• IOC, BPCL, HPCL, Reliance, and Nayara defer turnarounds till after March 2026.
• Move follows govt directive amid rising diesel, petrol, and ATF demand.

Various Indian refiners have delayed their maintenance shutdowns that were scheduled so that they can make sure the supply of petrol, diesel, and aviation turbine fuel (ATF) is not disrupted while domestic demand is increasing and global supply remains tight. After the government issued instructions that fuel availability should be the first consideration during the winter season when fuel consumption increases due to more road and air traffic, the decision was made.

Besides IOC, BPCL, and HPCL, which are the major public sector refiners, others include private players like Reliance Industries and Nayara Energy also joining the government's appeal to reduce the risk of supply disruptions to the minimum possible level. They all have decided to delay their T&M activities that were planned between December 2025 and March 2026.

Also Read : OMCs of India To Pay Discounted Prices To Refiners

This decision coincides with a period when India's fuel demand has stayed high, diesel consumption has increased steadily due to farming and industrial activities, and petrol and ATF demand have considerably increased after the festival season. An unplanned shutdown may have caused higher imports, thus resulting in the depletion of foreign exchange reserves and increased retail prices.

Government officials have stated that it is of utmost importance to ensure regular supply of fuels for economic growth and controlling inflation. Refining companies have been requested to maximise their production and plan their maintenance at different times while ensuring safety and structural integrity of the assets.

India's aggressive demand for petroleum products of 6.2 million barrels per day in the current financial year is likely to be supported by this initiative. Besides, it will also help in keeping import dependence in check.