<h4>Understanding Strategic Petroleum Reserves (SPRs)</h4><p><strong>Strategic Petroleum Reserves (SPRs)</strong> are vast underground or above-ground stockpiles of <strong>crude oil</strong> maintained by various countries. Their primary purpose is to provide a buffer against potential disruptions in global oil supply.</p><p>These reserves are crucial for ensuring a stable and uninterrupted supply of energy. They protect a nation's economy and security during periods of <strong>geopolitical uncertainty</strong>, natural disasters, or unexpected supply chain failures.</p><div class='key-point-box'><p><strong>Key Purpose:</strong> SPRs safeguard national energy security by mitigating the impact of sudden oil supply shocks.</p></div><h4>India's Strategic Petroleum Reserve Capacity</h4><p>India, being a major oil importer, places significant emphasis on its strategic reserves. Currently, <strong>India's strategic crude oil reserve capacity</strong> stands at <strong>5.33 million tonnes (MT)</strong>.</p><div class='info-box'><p><strong>Current Capacity:</strong> 5.33 million tonnes of crude oil.</p><p>This capacity is strategically located across three sites in southern India, managed by <strong>Indian Strategic Petroleum Reserves Limited (ISPRL)</strong>.</p></div><h4>Phase II Expansion of SPRs</h4><p>To further bolster its energy security, India is embarking on the <strong>second phase</strong> of its strategic petroleum reserves programme. This expansion aims to significantly increase the country's storage capabilities.</p><p>Under <strong>Phase II</strong>, additional strategic reserves are planned. These new facilities will have a combined capacity to hold an extra <strong>6.5 million tonnes (MT)</strong> of crude oil.</p><div class='exam-tip-box'><p><strong>UPSC Insight:</strong> Questions on India's energy security, import dependence, and infrastructure projects like SPRs are common in <strong>GS Paper III (Economy and Infrastructure)</strong>. Understanding both current capacity and future expansion is vital.</p></div>