LNG Crisis: Shell Becomes India's Largest LNG Supplier, Boosts Supply in March The global energy market faced disruptions due to conflicts in West Asia, leading to a shortage in gas supply. In response, International Energy Shell plc significantly increased its LNG supply to India, emerging as the country’s largest imported gas supplier in March 2026. According to reports, Shell secured approximately 4 trillion British Thermal Units (TBtu) of gas out of a total 6 TBtu tendered by Indian fertilizer companies. This move was driven by the government’s emphasis on ensuring raw material availability for urea production. The crisis in West Asia caused supply issues from Qatar, India’s primary LNG supplier, prompting Shell to step in. In March, the company delivered its largest monthly LNG supply to India, catering not only to the fertilizer sector but also to industrial consumers and retail customers. This expansion solidified Shell’s position as India’s top imported gas supplier. Shell’s ability to meet demand was bolstered by its terminal in Hazira, Gujarat, with a capacity of 5 million tons per year, and its global supply chain. The company can source gas from Oman, Australia, and Nigeria, supported by a fleet of over 65 chartered LNG ships. This infrastructure allowed for rapid rerouting of supplies during the crisis. Reports indicated that Qatar’s supply disruptions affected nearly 11.2 million tons of India’s 27 million-ton LNG imports. While India relies heavily on long-term contracts with Qatar, alternative sources like the U.S. and Russia were explored by state-owned companies such as GAIL (India) Limited. However, shipping constraints posed challenges, as importing gas from distant countries could take weeks. Shell’s global reach and shipping fleet proved critical in maintaining supply stability.#india #shell_plc #qatar #gail_india #hazira_gujarat
