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India's August Russian oil imports slip 18% from July, tanker data reveal

India's month-to-month oil imports from Russia fell by 18.3% to about 1.7 million barrels each day (bpd) in August from the previous month due to lower crude processing by some refiners, tanker information gotten from trade sources showed.

In contrast, China stepped up purchases of Russian oil last month, reclaiming the area of Moscow's leading oil client after India became the greatest purchaser for the very first time in July.

The share of Russian oil in India's August imports declined to about 36% after rising for five straight months, the information showed. In July, Russian oil accounted for about 44% of India's. oil imports.

Regardless of the decline, Russia stayed the leading oil provider to. India in August, followed by Iraq and Saudi Arabia, the information. revealed.

Overall, India, the world's third-biggest oil importer and. consumer, imported 4.7 million bpd of oil in August, down by. about 1% from July, the data revealed.

India's imports of Saudi Arabian oil last month decreased to. the most affordable since July 2023 to about 498,200 bpd, the information programs.

India's Chennai Petroleum has shut some units at its 210,000. bpd southern India refinery while Bharat Petroleum Corp decreased. crude processing at its Bina refinery in central India to carry. out maintenance work at some units.

Indian refiners have been passionate buyers of Russian oil sold at. discounts considering that Western nations enforced sanctions against Moscow. and curtailed their energy purchases in reaction to Russia's. intrusion of Ukraine.

Indian refiners likewise got about 138,000 bpd of Canadian. oil last month and 254,000 bpd of U.S. crude, the data revealed.

Due to a decline in consumption of Russian oil, the share of OPEC. countries in India's general purchases increased to a four-month high. in August, driven by greater purchases of Iraqi oil.

Nevertheless, the share of OPEC oil in India's imports in the. initially 5 months of the starting in April has. slipped to an all-time low.

The share of Middle Eastern oil in India's August crude. imports rose to 44.6% from 40.3% in July. During April-August,. the area's share decreased to about 44% from about 46% a year. back.

(source: Reuters)