India turns to Russia, Venezuela, West Africa for crude oil to offset lost cargoes from West Asia in April – Image for illustrative purposes only (Image credits: upload.wikimedia.org)
Mumbai – Indian refiners moved swiftly in April to secure extra crude oil from Russia, Venezuela and West African producers. The move came after shipments from the Middle East dropped sharply because of regional tensions that restricted flows through the Strait of Hormuz. By tapping these alternative sources, the country kept its refineries running at normal rates and avoided any immediate risk of fuel shortages at home.
Russian Deliveries Fill the Largest Gap
Russia remained the dominant supplier throughout the month. Trade analysts estimated that India arranged an extra 60 million barrels of Russian crude for April delivery alone. This surge built on an already strong position, with Russian volumes nearly doubling from February levels to reach 2.25 million barrels per day in March. The additional cargoes arrived steadily and helped offset the steep decline in Middle Eastern grades that had previously accounted for the bulk of India’s imports.
Venezuela and Iran Shipments Resume
Shipments from Venezuela and Iran also picked up noticeably. Preliminary data showed Venezuelan crude arriving at an average rate of around 137,000 barrels per day by mid-April, with full-month figures later climbing toward 283,000 barrels per day. Iranian volumes averaged 276,000 barrels per day during the same period. These flows marked a clear revival of supplies that had been limited in prior months, giving refiners more flexibility in blending and processing.
West African Volumes Grow Sharply
Deliveries from West Africa expanded at the same time. Nigerian imports rose 85 percent from March to 231,000 barrels per day in April. Brazilian volumes more than doubled to 293,000 barrels per day over the same stretch. Angola also contributed higher volumes earlier in the spring. Refinery officials noted that many of these purchases had been planned before the Middle East disruptions intensified, yet they proved timely once traditional routes faced delays.
Strategic Adjustments Take Hold
The pattern of diversification points to a lasting change in India’s sourcing strategy. Middle Eastern crude fell to its lowest share on record in March, dropping 61 percent from February levels. Refiners responded by locking in longer-term deals with non-Gulf suppliers while monitoring developments in the region. Industry observers expect the higher volumes from Russia, West Africa and Latin America to continue through the coming months as companies seek to reduce exposure to any single supply corridor. The recent adjustments demonstrate how quickly global oil trade can reroute when one major region faces constraints. India’s refiners have shown they can maintain output by spreading purchases across several continents, a capability that will matter for energy security in the months ahead.
