India is building a sanctions-proof supply chain for Russian oil

News: Indian oil refiners are restructuring supply chains to continue importing discounted Russian crude amid stricter U.S. sanctions.

At India’s flagship energy gathering in Delhi, executives revealed that networks are being adjusted using non-blacklisted sellers, shippers, and insurers. Some firms remain unaffected, while new entities are replacing restricted ones.

Since initial sanctions, major buyers like Indian Oil, BPCL, MRPL, and Reliance have significantly increased Russian crude imports, reaching about a third of total imports. However, new U.S. sanctions in January targeted nearly 160 tankers, disrupting trade and forcing Indian and Chinese buyers to adapt. While February shipments faced minimal impact, March deliveries are now under strain, prompting urgent supply chain adjustments.