(a) whether the Government proposes to establish strategic crude oil and natural gas reserves to deal with any unforeseen circumstances;
(b) if so, the details thereof;
(c) the details of locations identified for this purpose; and
(d) the time limit for completion of the same?
MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF PETROLEUM & NATURAL GAS (SHRI R.P.N. SINGH)
(a) to (d): The Government, through Indian Strategic Petroleum Reserves Limited (ISPRL), is setting up Strategic Crude Oil Reserves with total storage capacity of 5.33 Million Metric Tonnes (MMT) at three locations viz. Visakhapatnam (storage capacity: 1.33 MMT), Mangalore (storage capacity: 1.5 MMT) and Padur (storage capacity: 2.5 MMT) to enhance the energy security of the country and to deal with any unforeseen circumstances. Whereas the Visakhapatnam project is likely to be commissioned in 2013, Mangalore and Padur projects are likely to be commissioned by 2014.
Further, a detailed feasibility study for construction of additional 12.5 MMT of crude oil storages at Bikaner, Rajkot, Chandikol and Padur has also been entrusted by ISPRL to Engineers India Limited.