India's crude oil import bill surged 48 percent to $74.8 billion during the April-August period on, higher global prices even as volumes remained largely unchanged, according to data from the Petroleum Planning and Analysis Cell (PPAC). On the afternoon of September 21, Brent crude was trading at around $102 a barrel, down 2 percent from the previous close. Even after the dip, crude had held above $100 a barrel for over 18 days as the West Asia situation worsens, reversing a previous trend when prices stayed lower for over a month and a half.