Global energy giant Shell plc has increased natural gas deliveries to India following disruptions caused by the West Asia conflict, utilizing its international liquefied natural gas (LNG) assets to secure a bigger portion of spot and contractual demand, including important tenders in the fertilizer industry.

According to reports, Shell became a prominent supplier in the bulk LNG procurement by Indian fertilizer firms last month, obtaining a supply of 4 trillion British thermal units from the 6 TBtus offered, as the government acted to guarantee feedstock availability for urea production due to limited supplies from the Gulf.

Due to the conflict in West Asia disrupting supplies from Qatar's largest LNG provider to India, Shell plc's Indian division intervened by importing its highest monthly LNG volumes ever recorded in March, they explained.

In addition to fertilizer, Shell India provided gas to various industrial consumers and retailers. In March, it emerged as the biggest supplier of imported gas in India.

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Shell's capacity to increase supplies is supported by its 5 million tonnes-per-year LNG import terminal in Hazira, Gujarat, and related storage facilities, in addition to its role as the largest LNG portfolio operator globally, enabling it to procure cargoes from various areas outside West Asia to satisfy demand.

Sources indicated that the firm utilized its LNG assets in nations from Oman to Australia and Nigeria. It additionally manages one of the most extensive LNG shipping fleets (more than 65 chartered vessels), assisting in gas delivery when India's primary supplier announced force majeure.

India relies on imports for about 50% of its natural gas needs, which serves as feed for fertilizer manufacturing, electricity generation, CNG for transportation, piping gas for homes, and various industrial uses.

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Between 45 and 50 percent of LNG imports are sourced from Qatar through long-term agreements. These supplies ceased following Iran's extensive reprisal against US and Israeli attacks aimed at neighboring nations that hosted US forces.

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QatarEnergy's declaration of force majeure affected around 11.2 million tonnes of India's total LNG imports of about 27 million tonnes, while state-owned companies like GAIL (India) Limited persisted in obtaining shipments from other suppliers, such as the United States and Russia.