New Delhi, Mar 18 (IANS): Profitability of upstream oil producers is expected to pick up in FY22, led by rising oil and gas prices along with higher production, ratings agency India Ratings and Research said.

It maintained a 'Stable' rating outlook for upstream oil companies and oil marketing companies for FY22, driven by their strategic importance to the Centre, and for city gas distribution entities due to their growth prospects.

"Although upstream companies have large capex plans and they continue to pay high dividends, Ind-Ra expects their credit metrics to remain strong in FY22 led by their scale and nature of operations, and strong liquidity, backed by the availability of liquid investments, sufficient banking lines and access to capital markets," Ind-Ra said.

"Higher domestic gas price could impact the margins of CGD players marginally, though they would continue to benefit from their competitive position with respect to other fuels."

Besides, bringing natural gas under goods and services tax could boost consumption gradually, said the ratings agency.

"While the agency expects only a gradual pickup in gross refining margins in FY22, led by a muted improvement in crack spreads of key products, the marketing and pipeline segments would continue to provide cash flow stability. Petrochemical spreads, which had hit rock bottom in FY20, gained momentum over 9MFY21."

"Ind-Ra expects them to remain at higher than FY20 levels, despite a sharp pick-up in feedstock prices especially naphtha."

Furthermore, it said a low subsidy burden and possible asset monetisation could help in meeting the high capex requirement of OMCs partly, though dividend outflows are expected to remain high.

"Policy-level changes during the stake sale of Bharat Petroleum Corporation Ltd or changes in the subsidy-sharing mechanism would continue to be key monitorables for assessing the linkages of OMCs with the government of India."