Petronet LNG MD Race: Interviews Done, Suspense Begins Over Who Wins…
Sanjay Kumar of GAIL is said to be the front runner with his experience coupled with political clout
The much-awaited interviews for the post of Managing Director & CEO of Petronet LNG Ltd (PLL) have been conducted, bringing the closely watched race for one of the oil and gas sector’s most coveted positions to its decisive stage. With the interview process now over, the suspense has shifted from the five names in contention to the question that is occupying the industry — who has emerged as the winner?
The interviews, which were scheduled in the first half of the day, were later shifted to the second half of the day.
The formal announcement of the successor to incumbent MD & CEO Akshay Kumar Singh is still awaited. Singh’s extended tenure runs until May 12, 2027, but Petronet LNG initiated the succession process well ahead of his superannuation.
Five-way contest reaches the final stage
The five senior executives who had emerged as contenders for the post are Sanjay Kumar, Director (Marketing), GAIL (India) Ltd; Arvind Kumar, Director (Refineries), Indian Oil Corporation; Suman Kumar, Director (Planning & Business Development), IndianOil; Ayush Gupta, Director (Human Resources), GAIL; and Mahesh Gupta, Director (Marketing & Finance), National Fertilizers Ltd.
The contest had generated considerable interest because all five candidates bring substantial experience from the oil and gas sector, but with markedly different professional profiles. The selection process is being handled through the search-cum-selection mechanism of Petronet LNG’s Board, with representatives of the company’s major shareholders and other members of the selection panel.
Sanjay Kumar had emerged as one of the most closely watched names in the race. Currently GAIL’s Director (Marketing), he took charge of the position in June 2023 and had earlier served as Managing Director of Indraprastha Gas Ltd. His experience in LNG sourcing, marketing and the broader gas business had strengthened his candidature. His reported proximity to influential political circles had also been cited by sources as an additional factor in the contest, although the final decision rests with the selection process.
Arvind Kumar, IndianOil’s Director (Refineries), brings extensive experience in refinery operations, major project execution and pipelines. He assumed charge as Director (Refineries) in July 2024 and subsequently handled additional responsibility for the pipelines portfolio. His experience in managing large and complex energy infrastructure projects puts him among the significant contenders.
Suman Kumar, IndianOil’s Director (Planning & Business Development), has been in the position since February 2025. His experience in corporate planning, strategy and business development gives him a different profile in a contest otherwise dominated by candidates with strong operational and marketing backgrounds.
Ayush Gupta, GAIL’s Director (Human Resources), has been heading the HR function since August 2022. An electrical engineer, Gupta has also had experience in operations and maintenance during his career. His candidature brings a combination of corporate management and operational experience to the selection process.
Mahesh Gupta, Director (Marketing & Finance) at National Fertilizers Ltd, also has experience in the gas business. He had earlier handled business-development responsibilities at IndianOil, giving him exposure to the commercial and strategic dimensions of the energy sector.
Now comes the most crucial part
With the interviews completed, the contest has moved into the final and perhaps most intriguing phase. The candidates have made their case before the selection panel and the industry is now waiting for the panel’s decision and the subsequent formal process.
The question is no longer about who made it to the shortlist. It is about who managed to convince the selection panel.
Sanjay Kumar’s LNG and gas-market experience had made him a prominent name even before the interviews. Arvind Kumar brings refinery and project-execution credentials, while Suman Kumar offers strategic planning and business-development experience. Ayush Gupta and Mahesh Gupta bring their own combinations of operational, managerial and commercial experience to the contest.
The final choice will be closely watched because Petronet LNG is entering an important phase of growth and diversification. The company has been expanding its LNG infrastructure and pursuing opportunities beyond its traditional terminal business, making the appointment of its next MD & CEO strategically significant.
Petronet LNG’s current board information continues to show Akshay Kumar Singh as MD & CEO, pending completion of the succession process.
For now, however, the suspense remains intact. The interviews are done and dusted. The five-way race has reached the finish line — but the name of the man who has crossed it first is still under wraps.
Who won the race for the coveted Petronet LNG MD post? That is the question the oil and gas establishment is now waiting to have answered.
