BPCL- An Integrated Oil Major in Indian
BPCL is an integrated oil company, engaged in the entire value chain of oil and gas business. It is one of the Fortune 500 companies. During 2011-12, BPCL’s turnover was Rs 222,500 crores, with a crude processing throughput of 26.7 million tons in 4 refineries (one each at Mumbai, Kochi, Bina and Numaligarh). BPCL’s sales volume was 31.48 MMT in 2011-12, as compared to 29.58 MMT in 2010-11. Last year, BPCL Group companies posted a net profit of Rs. 851 crores against Rs 1742 crores in 2010-11. Through a wholly owned subsidiary, Bharat Petro-Resources, BPCL has forayed into upstream, having participating interest in 26 exploration blocks (11 in India and 15 in Australia, Brazil, East Timor, Indonesia, Mozambique and UK).
BPCL is one amongst three national oil companies in India, who are marketing LPG in the country with a market share of 26 percent. About 90% of LPG consumed in the country is used for domestic cooking fuel. Domestic LPG is subsidized item to the extent of about 70 to 80 percent. Therefore, from the point of view of oil marketing companies, LPG is not a profitable segment. Nevertheless, the essentiality of LPG from the consumer’s point of view as well as from the environmental perspective has never been questioned. Notwithstanding the economics of oil marketing companies, the pricing of LPG has always been a subject of public welfare. It is considered to be an essential commodity required for mass consumption. Therefore, it has been a sheltered from the competition of market economics.
BPCL in LPG Business (Bharatgas)
From the marketing perspective of a business organization, LPG business is a regulated business. 90% of the business is in oligopoly market. Pricing is administered by Industry. Product availability is shared in the Industry. Last leg of marketing is left to franchisees, (who are generally known as Distributors) who manage their affairs with their own capital, manpower,