28-08-08 India's crude oil imports soared over 8 % in July to match rise in fuel consumption that continued to be propelled by double-digit growth in diesel demand.
The country imported 11.84 mm tons of crude oil in July, up from 10.89 mm tons in the same month a year ago, according to the latest data available from the Petroleum Ministry in New Delhi. Fuel consumption rose 7.8 % to 9.92 mm tons with diesel demand at 4.07 mm tons -- showing a growth of 10.3 %.

The hike in retail prices of domestic LPG seemed to have had a sobering affect on its consumption that saw a modest 2.5 % rise to 978,600 tons. Petrol consumption grew 6.3 % to 913,100 tons.
Petroleum product imports dipped 21.6 % to 1.51 mm tons with LPG being the most imported commodity.
Exports continued to record negative growth due to domestic requirement of products. Shipments dropped 11.2 % in July to 3.17 mm tons, of which diesel was the single largest commodity exported at 1.15 mm tons.

Crude oil imports in April-July was up3.8 % at 43.4 mm tons while fuel consumption grew 4.9 % to 44.3 mm tons. Diesel demand soared 11 % to 17.44 mm tons. LPG consumption was up 6.2 % to 3.89 mm tons and petrol by 7.4 % at 3.711 mm tons.
Oil product imports were almost unchanged at 7.24 mm tons in the period that saw a 12.6 % drop in outward shipments at 11.73 mm tons.
Diesel exports were down almost 6 % at 4.27 mm tons.