India's Oil and Natural Gas Corporation (ONGC) is reportedly in advanced talks to partner with BP for establishing a new crude oil and refined fuel trading unit. This strategic collaboration aims to optimize supply chain efficiency and unlock annual profit potential of $1 billion.
ONGC Eyes Strategic Partnership with BP to Launch Oil, Fuel Trading Arm
Industry insiders reveal that ONGC is set to join hands with BP to form a dedicated trading subsidiary focused on crude oil and refined petroleum products. This unit will consolidate trading activities of ONGC’s group companies, including Hindustan Petroleum and Mangalore Refinery & Petrochemicals, enhancing bulk purchasing power and market agility.
The new trading entity is expected to go live by March 2026, after which it will manage import sourcing, exports, and domestic fuel trading on behalf of the group, delivering scale economies and optimized pricing strategies.
ONGC aims to capture global arbitrage opportunities, reduce value leakage, and diversify revenue streams leveraging BP’s international trading expertise. The arrangement builds on existing cooperation through a memorandum of understanding signed earlier this year between ONGC and BP targeting exploration and production collaborations.
The trading arm is poised to unlock $1 billion in annual value for ONGC while improving supply chain integration amid a volatile global oil price environment. It also supports the Indian government’s vision of strengthening energy security and operational efficiency in state enterprises.
Key Highlights:
ONGC to likely partner BP for oil and fuel trading subsidiary launch.
Unit to consolidate crude and refined product trading for group companies.
Operational launch targeted for March 2026 with phased capability building.
Expected annual profit potential of $1 billion by optimizing supply chains.
Partnership leverages BP’s global trading expertise and ONGC’s asset base.
Reinforces India’s strategic energy security and commercial agility goals.
Source: Refinitiv, Outlook Business, S&P Global Commodity Insights, ScanX Trade (2025)