NationalSunday, 5 July 2026·Hindu Tamil Thisai
Rajasthan refinery, Barmer oilfields and India’s crude sourcing strategy highlighted by PM Modi
PM Modi said India sourced crude from over 40 countries during the crisis and highlighted Barmer’s oilfields and the Balotra refinery project.
Key highlights
Direct fact
On July 4, 2026, Prime Minister Narendra Modi said India expanded crude sourcing from 25 countries before the West Asia war to more than 40 countries during the crisis, while inaugurating the Balotra refinery project in Rajasthan.
Key specifics
- Barmer district in Rajasthan has about 38 oilfields, producing around 1.8 lakh barrels of crude oil per day.
- The Barmer oilfields meet about 20% of India’s crude oil demand, according to the Tamil report.
- Crude from Barmer is transported about 670 km to the Jamnagar refinery in Gujarat through a pipeline.
- The Balotra refinery project was first laid in January 2018, after an earlier Rajasthan refinery plan was stalled from 2013.
- Rajasthan saw projects worth ₹1.06 lakh crore announced, inaugurated or laid by PM Modi during the visit.
Exam lens
Question type: Energy geography and infrastructure. TNPSC may ask about Barmer’s 38 oilfields, 1.8 lakh barrels per day, 20% crude contribution, 670 km pipeline to Jamnagar, and the 2018 Balotra refinery foundation.