Quitol (Goa): India is set to deepen its bilateral energy trade with the United States, focusing on crude oil, liquefied natural gas (LNG), and liquefied petroleum gas (LPG), Union Minister for Petroleum and Natural Gas Hardeep Singh Puri said at a press conference during India Energy Week (IEW) 2026.
The announcement highlights the government’s efforts to strengthen long-term energy partnerships with global suppliers while diversifying India’s energy sourcing base.
India-US Energy Engagements and Investment Opportunities
Minister Puri noted that India currently imports energy worth approximately USD 15 billion from the US, including a recently signed contract to source 10% of its LPG requirements from American suppliers. Discussions are ongoing for equity participation by Indian companies in US LNG liquefaction projects, which are under construction or nearing final investment decisions.
Speaking at the event, Puri emphasized India’s position as a reliable long-term energy partner, citing Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s ninth roundtable with global energy CEOs. The PM highlighted a USD 500 billion opportunity in India’s energy sector, with an estimated USD 100 billion potential in upstream exploration and production.
Indian companies are exploring deeper collaboration in the hydrocarbon value chain, including partnerships with oil marketing companies and expansion into upstream projects.
Read also: BPCL, Petrobras Sign MoU to Strengthen Crude Oil Supply and Long-Term Energy Security for India
Global Energy Partnerships Beyond the US
India is also engaging other resource-rich nations such as Canada, Japan, and Iceland to explore higher energy imports and collaboration in critical minerals, ethanol, biofuels, LNG value chains, geothermal energy, and carbon capture and storage (CCS).
Puri highlighted ongoing pilot CCS projects by Indian PSUs and geothermal exploration opportunities in regions such as Ladakh and Arunachal Pradesh, reflecting India’s focus on a cleaner and more diverse energy mix.
MoUs Signed to Boost LNG, Clean Fuels, and Low-Carbon Mobility
During IEW 2026, multiple memoranda of understanding (MoUs) were signed to strengthen cooperation in LNG, clean energy technologies, and low-carbon fuels.
- Indian Oil and ENGIE: Collaboration in LNG and gas markets
- BPCL and logistics companies: Conversion of diesel fleets to LNG
These agreements demonstrate India’s dual strategy of ensuring hydrocarbon security while scaling up cleaner fuels and new energy technologies.
Policy Focus on Compressed Biogas (CBG) and Emerging Technologies
The government is preparing a policy framework for compressed biogas (CBG), following discussions at IEW 2026. The framework will support biomass aggregation, pipeline infrastructure, and market development.
Emerging technologies showcased at the event include:
- Bio-crude production from seaweed
- Ethanol from bamboo
- AI-enabled drilling solutions
- Flex-fuel vehicles
These initiatives underline India’s commitment to diversifying its energy mix and accelerating the transition to sustainable fuels.
Read also: Everything You Need to Know About India’s Crude Oil Discovery in Abu Dhabi
