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India's BPCL sees March Russian oil consumption down 20% as it awaits deals

India's staterun refiner Bharat Petroleum Corp sees its Russian oil processing down to 20% in March from 31% this month as it awaits deals from traders, its head of finance Vetsa Ramakrishna Gupta told an analyst call on Thursday.

The company and other state refiners such as Indian Oil Corp. , Hindustan Petroleum, and Mangalore Refinery. and Petrochemicals purchase Russian oil in the spot market. and the absence of clearness concerning its accessibility is requiring. them to look for alternatives.

BPCL's Russian oil processing declined to 31% in December. quarter from about 35-40% in the previous month. The business,. together with other Indian state refiners, got a lower supply. of Russian oil in January and February.

Gupta stated absence of offers from traders for sale of Russian. oil for March delivery might be 'momentary' as Russia has not. cut its oil output.

Washington has actually imposed sweeping sanctions targeting Russian. manufacturers and tankers, disrupting supply from the world's No. 2. manufacturer and tightening ship schedule.

Gupta stated his company satisfies 55% of its oil needs through. yearly agreements and as much as 35% from the spot market.

Indian refiners purchase Russian oil on a provided basis, with. seller setting up the tanker and insurance. Pre condition is. that they (traders) do stagnate crude in any of the approved. vessel, he added.

To offset the shortfall, Indian refiners have drifted. tenders for oil imports and are buying grades such as Abu. Dhabi's Murban grade.

(source: Reuters)