IOC, BPCL and HPCL unlikely to raise fuel prices unless crude stays above $110

India’s oil marketing companies are unlikely to revise petrol and diesel prices in the near term despite Brent crossing $100 a barrel, according to sources. IOC, BPCL and HPCL face negative marketing margins and rising debt, but a sustained move above $110 for crude would be the likely trigger for a retail-price increase.

— Source publishedThu, 10 Sept, 2026, 08:47 IST·First seen Thu, 10 Sept, 2026, 08:59 IST·Source Financial Express · BrandWagon

What happened

Indian Oil Corporation (IOC) · Despite Brent crossing $100 a barrel and rising OMC losses, sources say India is unlikely to raise petrol and diesel prices

Key facts

  • Brent crude: $100.19/barrel intraday
  • Indian crude basket: $108.91/barrel on September 8
  • Petrol price in Delhi: ₹102.12/litre
  • Diesel price in Delhi: ₹95.20/litre
  • Cumulative fuel-price increases since May 15: around ₹7.5/litre
  • Petrol marketing margin: negative ₹5/litre
  • Diesel marketing margin: negative ₹23/litre
  • Domestic LPG under-recovery: ₹200/cylinder
  • OMCs' aggregate standalone debt in Q1FY27: ₹2.3 lakh crore
  • OMCs' combined EBITDA in Q1FY27: negative ₹25,800 crore

Why this matters

The prolonged pricing squeeze may increase the appeal of balance-sheet partnerships, supply-efficiency investments and selectively timed consolidation opportunities across India’s fuel-retail ecosystem.