Oman Overtakes US as India’s Top LNG Supplier in September

Oman surpassed the United States to become India’s largest supplier of liquefied natural gas (LNG) in September, marking a significant shift in the country’s energy import landscape. Oman accounted for 27% of India’s LNG shipments, with imports reaching 585,000 tonnes, an 11.6% increase from August. Meanwhile, Qatar’s share plummeted to just 4.3%, a dramatic drop from its previous dominance as a key supplier.

Nigeria emerged as the second-largest supplier, ahead of the US, with shipments totaling 351,000 tonnes, though this was 35% lower than August’s volume. The US, which had been the top supplier in August with 848,000 tonnes, saw its shipments drop by 59%, placing it third with a 16% share of India’s September LNG imports. Qatar, once a major supplier, fell to sixth place with only 94,000 tonnes imported, trailing behind the UAE (311,000 tonnes) and Angola (205,000 tonnes).

The decline in Qatar’s LNG supplies is attributed to disruptions following Iran’s attack on Qatar’s Ras Laffan Industrial City in March. Prashant Vasisht, senior vice president at ICRA, noted that Qatar supplies about 19% of the global LNG market and that it could take months to restore full capacity after the attack. India’s total LNG imports fell by 14% in September to 2.17 million tonnes, down from 2.5 million tonnes in August.

India has been diversifying its energy sources to mitigate risks from geopolitical shocks. Officials emphasized the need to avoid dependence on any single region, noting the expansion of LNG facilities worldwide, including in Mozambique and Brazil. Analysts highlighted that while crude oil supplies remain relatively insulated, LNG and LPG imports are more vulnerable to disruptions in the Gulf region.