Indian Oil Corporation (IndianOil) used social media on March 13 to present what it described as normal, orderly operations at a flagship fuel station in Mumbai as global energy tensions deepen and markets grapple with heightened volatility. The state-run company sought to reassure the public that India’s fuel supply chain remains secure and operational despite international market stress and potential disruptions arising from geopolitical tensions. The post emphasised calm activity during peak morning hours and portrayed continuity of service as evidence of preparedness.

Visual material from the station was presented as evidence of steady vehicle flow and orderly refuelling, reflecting planning and resilience in urban fuel infrastructure and the logistics that underpin retail distribution. IndianOil framed the display as part of broader efforts to maintain public confidence in energy delivery and to signal that routine operations continue at critical junctions. The corporation indicated there was no panic and that services at the outlet were operating as usual, with staff and systems functioning normally.

A UBS Global Research report warned of rising risks for state-owned oil marketing companies (OMCs) amid volatile crude oil prices and geopolitical tensions in West Asia. UBS said integrated margins for Indian Oil Corporation, Bharat Petroleum Corporation Limited and Hindustan Petroleum Corporation Limited could come under pressure if crude prices remain elevated while domestic retail fuel prices stay unchanged. The brokerage said OMCs face structural vulnerability because earnings are heavily exposed to fuel marketing margins and they have limited flexibility to pass higher crude costs to consumers because of government influence over retail pricing.

UBS has raised short-term oil price forecasts, estimating crude could average around USD 71 per barrel in the second quarter of 2026 and about USD 72 per barrel for the full year. The bank warned that sustained higher crude costs would compress marketing margins and reduce near-term earnings visibility.