S Dinakar, Business Standard

Stories by S Dinakar, Business Standard

Oil imports from Russia likely to decline this year

Oil imports from Russia likely to decline this year

Rediff.com   9 Jan 2024

Indian imports of Russian crude oil may stabilise or even decline in 2024 from record 2023 levels amid shrinking discounts, lower output, and a rebound in West Asian supplies, according to the ship-tracking data and industry executives. This may impact the billions of dollars in annual savings that India made last year. Imports of Russian oil jumped by a record 140 per cent in calendar 2023 to 1.79 million barrels a day (b/d) from 740,400 b/d in 2022, when Russia marched into Ukraine in February, and from just 102,000 b/d in 2021, according to the data from Paris-based market intelligence agency Kpler.

The IPL's Pay Problem

The IPL's Pay Problem

Rediff.com   1 Jan 2024

Lower-paid IPL players, domestic or foreign, should be able to try their luck in other T20 tournaments.

Good News For Android App Developers

Good News For Android App Developers

Rediff.com   30 Dec 2023

For many developers, it may not be a sufficient saving to make it worth creating and maintaining alternatives.

Renewable energy: Avaada, others up the ante against conglomerates

Renewable energy: Avaada, others up the ante against conglomerates

Rediff.com   24 Dec 2023

When Vineet Mittal first got into solar power, sometime around 2009, and was planting solar panels in Gujarat, renewable energy looked like a sector ripe for startups. Renewables were clearly the future of energy, and the big boys - Mukesh Ambani's Reliance, Adani Group, and the Tatas - were focusing much more on coal and petroleum. Little did Mittal know that things were going to change drastically.

2024 Challenge For INDIA Grows Every Day!

2024 Challenge For INDIA Grows Every Day!

Rediff.com   18 Dec 2023

If they wish to have any chance next year, the Congress and the alliance must quickly settle all issues, draw up an alternative agenda, and create a cohesive campaign.

'We are building Kia 2.0. India is a long-term bet for us'

'We are building Kia 2.0. India is a long-term bet for us'

Rediff.com   17 Nov 2023

'India is the sixth-largest market for the Kia Corporation, and contributes 8 to 9 per cent to our global sales.' 'We are eyeing 10 per cent market share over the next few years depending on customer demand and new product innovations.'

Israel-Hamas conflict: India's hope of respite in oil prices dashed

Israel-Hamas conflict: India's hope of respite in oil prices dashed

Rediff.com   17 Oct 2023

The ongoing Hamas-Israel conflict has disrupted India's efforts to gain from a recent fall in crude oil prices. Since Hamas' invasion of southern Israel on October 7, petroleum has become costlier by around $5 per barrel, threatening to stoke prices and impact growth. Brent crude was trading at $89.8 per barrel on October 9 (9.15 pm IST), up over 4 per cent, thwarting India's anticipation of a period of declining oil prices - after the leading global petroleum benchmark declined by around 11 per cent last week.

Crude import from Russia declines to lowest in 7 months

Crude import from Russia declines to lowest in 7 months

Rediff.com   3 Sep 2023

Indian imports of Russian oil plunged by a record in August month-on-month (M-o-M) as discounts on the fuel shrank in tandem with rising Brent oil prices. Higher crude prices will drive inflation or hurt earnings at oil companies and India's fiscal position if such spikes are not passed on to consumers. Indian purchases of Russian crude declined by around 24 per cent in August from July to the lowest level since January, with refiners expecting volumes to drop further amid rising rates of Russian benchmark Urals grade, substantial stocks at refiners, and planned maintenance at Indian refineries, according to ship tracking data and industry officials.

How FAME scheme changes impact electric vehicle fortunes in India

How FAME scheme changes impact electric vehicle fortunes in India

Rediff.com   19 Jun 2023

New Delhi's timing couldn't have been worse, both for India's fledgling electric vehicle (EV) sector and prospective electric bike buyers. It was hard to miss the perfect storm brewing for India's EV industry since early 2022. On one hand, you had several accidents involving battery fires that unnerved consumers; on the other, uncertainty had crept in over subsidies.

India's import of discounted Russian crude hits all-time high in May

India's import of discounted Russian crude hits all-time high in May

Rediff.com   8 Jun 2023

India's import of discounted crude oil from the Russian Federation hit an all-time high in May, with state-run refiner IOC becoming the biggest importer of Russian oil, relegating Reliance Industries to the second place, trade and shipping data show. Indian imports of Russian oil, accounting for over 46 per cent of its total crude oil imports in May, have grown after strong backing by New Delhi, with state-run refiners powering imports of discounted crude. Discounts on Russian oil average around $10 a barrel, said an official from a state-run refiner. IOC's May purchases rose by 64 per cent on the month, and accounted for half of its total crude imports last month, ship tracking data show.

Global Fuel Prices Lower, But Pump Rates Still High

Global Fuel Prices Lower, But Pump Rates Still High

Rediff.com   8 Jun 2023

Global oil prices have slumped and India has access to larger amounts of discounted Russian crude oil, yet refiners are not passing on their savings to consumers

For the foreseeable future, diesel is likely to drive India's economy

For the foreseeable future, diesel is likely to drive India's economy

Rediff.com   19 May 2023

India's climate change goals are turning combustible. On the one hand, a protracted dispute between the government and manufacturers over subsidies threatens to slow the pace of electric vehicle (EV) sales. On the other hand, repeated assertions by different arms of the government over banning sales of new fossil fuel-fired vehicles have queered the pitch for energy investments. Before we address the issue of the recommended diesel vehicle ban in the recent report on energy transition, issued months before the next round of global climate talks begin in Dubai in November, let's look at what's at stake.

India's unabated tryst with Russian crude oil is slowly coming to an end

India's unabated tryst with Russian crude oil is slowly coming to an end

Rediff.com   2 May 2023

India's unabated tryst with Russian crude oil is slowly coming to an end. The time has come for Indian refiners to navigate, creatively, the choppy waters of the post-honeymoon period, and for Indian policymakers to take cognisance of the broader impact on India from the spillover of the Russian crisis - after Washington's warning to transgressors last week. Shipments from Russia to India have averaged over 1.8 million barrels a day since February, according to data from Paris-based market analytics firm Kpler. But much of the crude shipped to India was non-sanctioned because it traded below a price cap set by the US led G-7 nations in December.

Russian Oil: India Ignores US Sanctions

Russian Oil: India Ignores US Sanctions

Rediff.com   13 Apr 2023

What is more surprising is that a surge in Russian oil supplies has come after the G7 imposed stringent sanctions on Moscow.

Why Consumers Are Denied Discounts From Russian Crude

Why Consumers Are Denied Discounts From Russian Crude

Rediff.com   17 Mar 2023

Officials from State-run refiners contend that savings from purchase of Russian oil are used to offset a part of the losses in revenues from selling transport fuels and LPG at State-set rates.

Russian Oil: India Beats China In February

Russian Oil: India Beats China In February

Rediff.com   15 Mar 2023

India was the world's biggest importer of Russian oil in February, exceeding China by 20 million barrels.

Budget 2023: Here are the key challenges in technology sector

Budget 2023: Here are the key challenges in technology sector

Rediff.com   23 Jan 2023

"India is the best market right now in the world with the digital initiatives the government has implemented

'India is on a good wicket now'

'India is on a good wicket now'

Rediff.com   10 Jan 2023

'The pitch for India is flat, the ball for India is old, the sun for India is out, and the bowlers are not bowling too well.' 'I think only we can get ourselves out.'

'A slip-up can break trust of investors'

'A slip-up can break trust of investors'

Rediff.com   3 Jan 2023

'Strong regulations are crucial for the orderly development of the market.'

IPO Fundraising Dipped To Half in 2022

IPO Fundraising Dipped To Half in 2022

Rediff.com   3 Jan 2023

The turmoil in the markets has been cited as the reason for the dip in the IPO market.