India to Import Over 2 Million Barrels of Nigerian Crude in 2025 as Refiners Shift from Russian Oil
India’s state-owned refineries are increasingly turning to Nigerian crude oil to meet their supply needs, signaling a notable shift in global energy trade patterns.
Over two million barrels of Nigerian oil are expected to arrive in India between September and October 2025, driven largely by US political pressure on India to reduce its dependence on Russian crude.
Industry insiders reveal that Indian Oil Corporation (IOC) recently secured one million barrels of Nigerian Agbami crude for September delivery through a tender awarded to global trader Trafigura.
This purchase is part of a broader surge in Indian refiners sourcing crude from non-Russian suppliers in recent weeks.
Bharat Petroleum Corporation Limited (BPCL), India’s second-largest state refinery, has also made spot purchases and is negotiating for September deliveries.
In addition to Nigerian crude, India has procured one million barrels of Angola’s Girassol, one million barrels of US Mars crude, and three million barrels of Abu Dhabi Murban crude for delivery in the same period.
This shift follows India’s halt on Russian crude imports in late July, following mounting US pressure. Since Russia’s invasion of Ukraine in 2022, India had been one of the largest buyers of discounted Russian oil, taking advantage of low prices while avoiding Western sanctions. This strategy kept Indian refiners mostly absent from the spot market for other suppliers—until recently.
The rising Nigerian crude sales reflect growing demand in Asia, a market traditionally dominated by Middle Eastern oil producers. Nigerian crude, prized for its low sulfur content, suits India’s refineries, which produce large volumes of gasoline and diesel for both domestic consumption and export.
However, this trend exposes an ironic twist in global oil trade dynamics. While Nigeria increases crude exports to India, the Dangote Oil Refinery—the largest refinery in Africa located in Nigeria—is boosting its crude purchases from the United States.
This paradox underscores the complex realities of the oil market, where factors such as pricing, supply logistics, and refinery configurations often outweigh geographic proximity or local production capabilities.
