India’s state-owned oil marketing companies (OMCs) are evaluating a controversial strategy to manage rising financial pressure caused by a prolonged freeze on retail fuel prices. With international crude oil prices climbing from around USD 70 per barrel to more than USD 100 due to geopolitical tensions in West Asia, domestic petrol and diesel prices have remained unchanged. This gap has forced OMCs to absorb significant losses. To offset the financial burden, companies are reportedly considering reducing payments to refineries by altering refinery transfer prices.