BP To Tap The Surging Indian Fuel Market Via Reliance Deal

BP (LON:BP) p.l.c. (NYSE:BP) once again partners with Reliance (“RIL”) and now both are initiating their joint venture in the fuel retailing business. In this partnership, RIL will have 51% stake in the ownership and the rest will be held by BP.

The joint venture aims to almost quadruple the existing 1400 fuel stations to 5,500 over the next five years. It further plans to focus more on providing packaged fuels and home delivery of fuels to customers and get an easy access to the Jamnagar refining facility of RIL in Gujarat with competitive advantages in supplying fuel.

Given that India is among the major countries that witnesses mounting demand for fuels, it is expected to be the fastest growing markets for the commodities around the world by mid 2020s. Further, BP predicted that over time, the number of passenger cars in the country will increase almost six-fold. Hence, the latest deal has reflected the integrated energy player’s intention to capitalize on India’s growing energy need.

Commenting on this venture, RIL stated that as both companies have extended their gas resources business in India to fuel retailing and aviation fuels, this will further strengthen their relationship with consumers leading to customer satisfaction and also boost their operations across the nation.

Although the two partners haven’t mentioned their investment plans for this new venture, the final agreements are estimated to take place in 2019 and will be consummated in the first half of 2020, depending on the regulatory and customary approvals.

Prior to the current venture, BP and RIL have been partners since 2011 in RIL’s exploration and production of hydrocarbons in India and further expanded the alliance in 2017. Ever since, the partners inked three new project deals on gas development in the KG D6 block.

BP, which is one of the world’s largest oil and gas companies further, intends to widen its retailing business in China, Indonesia and Mexico.

Zacks Rank & Key Picks

BP carries a Zacks Rank #3 (Hold). Better-ranked players in the energy space include Transportadora De Gas Sa Ord B (NYSE:TGS) , Ameresco, Inc. (NYSE:AMRC) and World Fuel Services Corporation (NYSE:INT) . While Transportadora and Ameresco sport a Zacks Rank #1 (Strong Buy), World Fuel Services holds a Zacks Rank #2 (Buy).You can see the complete list of today’s Zacks #1 Rank stocks here.

Transportadora earnings beat the Zacks Consensus Estimate in the trailing four quarters.

Ameresco earnings beat the Zacks Consensus Estimate in the last four quarters.

World Fuel Services earnings beat the Zacks Consensus Estimate in the preceding four quarters.

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