“This means that refined product supply for domestic demand remains comfortable, and there are currently no indications that India will struggle to meet internal consumption requirements,” says Ritola.<\/p>\n
The real vulnerability is LPG, analysts say.<\/p>\n
India consumes roughly one million barrels a day, but produces only 40-45% domestically, importing the rest – 80\u201390% of it through Hormuz.<\/p>\n
Refineries can tweak operations to squeeze out a bit more LPG, but even a 10-20% boost would only lift domestic supply to about 47-50% of demand, leaving the country heavily reliant on imports, according to Ritola.<\/p>\n
In short: “Crude supply risk can be partially mitigated through diversification and Russia flows. Refined product supply remains relatively comfortable. LPG availability is the real variable to monitor in the coming weeks.”<\/p>\n
What may be intensifying the anxiety on the ground is not just tight supply but patchy deliveries – and the familiar spectre of hoarding.<\/p>\n
Singh of the National Restaurant Association of India alleges opportunistic profiteering.<\/p>\n
“Retailers are misusing the situation – black-marketing cylinders and selling them at a premium. In one small town, I heard of cylinders being hoarded and auctioned off.”<\/p>\n
For now, India’s oil supplies may be cushioned by global trade flows. But in kitchens across the country, the more immediate question is simple: how to get the next cylinder.<\/p>\n
Follow BBC News India on Instagram, external<\/a>, YouTube,, external<\/a> Twitter, external<\/a> and Facebook, external<\/a>.<\/p>\n