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New sanctions threaten Russian oil sales to India

Fresh U.S. sanctions on Moscow threaten to dent Russian oil sales to India, the greatest buyer of Russian seaborne crude, and make complex efforts by Indian state refiners to secure annual supply deals, 3 industry sources knowledgeable about the matter stated.

Washington on Friday imposed sanctions to mark the second anniversary of Moscow's invasion of Ukraine and retaliate for the death of opposition leader Alexei Navalny.

The sanctions target Russia's leading tanker group, Sovcomflot, which Washington accused of being associated with breaching the G7's rate cap on Russian oil, along with 14 crude oil tankers tied to Sovcomflot.

Sources stated Indian refiners are concerned the latest sanctions will produce obstacles in getting vessels for Russian oil and could increase freight rates. That may narrow the discount for the oil, which is bought from traders and Russian business on a delivered basis.

In addition, Moscow might have to push much more volumes through traders to protect from additional sanctions threat, adding to uncertainties, the market sources said, decreasing to be named because of the sensitivity of the matter.

India seldom bought Russian oil before 2022 due to high freight costs, however refiners worldwide's third-largest oil importing nation are now huge purchasers, gaining from lower prices, after Europe prohibited Russian oil imports.

Russia became India's top oil provider in 2023. Through term deals and spot market purchases, the South Asian nation imported about 1.66 million barrels each day of Russian oil in 2023 compared to a typical 652,000 bpd in 2022.

State refiners Indian Oil Corp, Bharat Petroleum Corp (BPCL) and Hindustan Petroleum Corp (HPCL). are in joint talks with Russian significant Rosneft for an. annual deal to secure a combined volume of as much as 400,000 bpd of. Russian oil, mainly Urals, for the fiscal year that starts on. April 1, sources said.

Sources stated final volumes under the planned term offers. depend on payment terms and discounts provided by Russia.

Rosneft has provided a discount rate of $3-$ 3.50 per barrel to. Dubai prices, two of the sources said, more expensive than top refiner. Indian Oil's existing handle Rosneft, which ends on March 31,. at a discount rate of $8-$ 9 to Dubai prices estimate on a cost and freight. basis.

Refiners think about the proposed discount rate to be thin, provided. the unpredictabilities brought by sanctions, sources said.

Indian state refiners are not looking for products of Sokol. grade crude under the planned term deal due to payment issues,. they added.

The three refiners and Rosneft did not respond to demands. for comment.

An Indian government source stated India would continue. buying Russian oil just if it is offered listed below the cost cap in a. non-sanctioned vessels.

The nation's oil ministry did not react to an ask for. comment.

(source: Reuters)