India is likely to heighten oil imports from Nigeria as its oil imports from Russia are expected to drop to 800,000 barrels per day in December, down from 1.9 million barrels per day in November, according to a Bloomberg report.
The significant reduction comes as Indian authorities have implemented tighter checks at ports and increased banking scrutiny to ensure compliance with Western sanctions on Russian oil. These enhanced measures were reportedly rolled out in recent weeks.
India has significantly increased oil imports from Nigeria, especially in late 2025, as Indian refiners, prompted by U.S. pressure on Russian oil and geopolitical shifts, turned to West African sources. State refiners like Indian Oil Corp bought millions of barrels of Nigerian crude, including Agbami and Usan grades, to diversify supplies and meet rising demand. This strategic pivot aims to reduce dependence on Russia and secure reliable energy, benefiting Nigeria as it boosts production to meet these new demands.
U.S. pressure in mid-2025 led Indian refiners to pause Russian oil purchases, creating an opening for other suppliers like Nigeria. Indian refiners are strategically seeking alternative crudes, with Nigerian grades proving attractive due to favorable pricing and grade suitability. India’s overall crude oil demand is growing, necessitating increased imports from various regions, including Africa. African crudes, linked to Brent, became more competitive compared to other grades for Asian buyers in late 2025.
Indian state refiners like Indian Oil Corp and Bharat Petroleum bought substantial volumes of Nigerian Agbami and Usan crude for September and October deliveries.
The stricter enforcement measures include increased port inspections of shadow-fleet tankers, with the shipping ministry now requiring certificates of origin, flag-registry data, and additional documentation. Banks have also heightened their scrutiny of payment transactions related to Russian oil imports.
Officials noted that all Indian refiners except Rosneft-backed Nayara Energy Ltd. have reduced their imports from Russia. Nayara has actually increased its volumes as European Union sanctions have made it more dependent on Moscow for feedstock.
India’s tightened compliance efforts come as New Delhi attempts to secure a broader trade deal with the United States. In August, the US imposed 50% tariffs on all Indian goods, partly as a response to India’s purchases of Russian oil.
Source: orientalnewsng.com