NOC Urges Public to Limit Fuel Use, Avoid Hoarding Cooking Gas Amid Middle East Tensions

Nepal Oil Corporation (NOC) has urged the public to purchase and use only the necessary amount of petroleum products and liquefied petroleum (LP) gas, warning against unnecessary storage as global supply uncertainties grow due to the escalating war in the Middle East.

Issuing a press statement on Wednesday, the state-owned fuel monopoly asked consumers not to refill additional gas cylinders or hoard cooking gas. It also urged households and businesses to increase the use of electricity instead of cooking gas wherever possible.

The advisory comes as global energy markets face disruptions following the ongoing US-Israeli strikes on Iran, which have affected shipping routes and damaged oil and gas facilities in the Middle East—one of the world’s key energy supply regions.

Although panic buying briefly caused long queues at fuel stations across Nepal immediately after the strikes, the situation has since eased. Fuel supply has remained stable so far as India continues to supply petroleum products regularly to Nepal.

However, cooking gas cylinders have become relatively scarce in the market even though the NOC maintains that it is importing adequate quantities.

“Nepal is fully dependent on imports of petroleum products, so consumers should adopt precautionary measures in their consumption given the global situation,” the NOC said.

The corporation warned that it would take action against anyone found hoarding gas cylinders, selling petroleum products or cooking gas at inflated prices, or illegally trading new cylinders.

“The consumption of petroleum products and LP gas should be reduced for industrial use. The import and sale of petroleum products are currently regular. We request everyone to purchase fuel as required and avoid unnecessary storage, keeping in mind that Nepal cannot remain immune to global impacts arising from the problems in the Middle East,” the statement added.

Meanwhile, several south Asian countries have already stepped up emergency measures as the war disrupts energy supply chains.

According to AFP, India has ordered tighter controls on natural gas and cooking gas following import disruptions linked to the conflict. The world’s most populous nation is the fourth-largest buyer of liquefied natural gas and the second-largest importer of liquefied petroleum gas, much of which comes from the Middle East.

“The ongoing conflict in the Middle East has resulted in the disruption of liquefied natural gas shipments through the Strait of Hormuz,” India’s Ministry of Petroleum said in an order on Tuesday, according to AFP.

The oil price surge has also triggered unrest and supply anxieties in other parts of south Asia. AFP reported that Bangladesh—where about 95 percent of oil and gas is imported—has deployed the military at major oil depots while police patrol petrol stations amid supply tensions.

In Pakistan, tanker drivers have reported long waits at fuel depots as authorities struggle with supply disruptions. AFP reported that the US-Israeli war with Iran has affected shipping routes and energy infrastructure in the Middle East, pushing global oil prices higher and raising fears of shortages.

Despite the turbulence in regional markets, Nepal has so far avoided a fuel crisis, largely due to continued supplies from India. Authorities, however, say prudent consumption and avoiding hoarding will be crucial if the global situation worsens.