India Shifts from Russian Oil to Nigerian Crude as US Pressure Reshapes Global Energy Trade
Story Written by Springnewsng August 11,2025
India’s state-owned refiners are increasingly turning to Nigerian crude oil to replace Russian supplies, signaling a major shift in global energy flows as political pressure from the United States curtails imports from Moscow.
According to Reuters, over two million barrels of Nigerian oil are expected to arrive in India between September and October 2025. Indian Oil Corporation (IOC) recently purchased one million barrels of Agbami crude for September delivery through a tender awarded to global trader Trafigura, while Bharat Petroleum Corporation Limited (BPCL) secured additional Nigerian cargoes via spot market deals.
The shift comes alongside other purchases, including one million barrels of Angola’s Girassol crude, one million barrels of US Mars, and three million barrels of Abu Dhabi Murban. These acquisitions reflect India’s aggressive diversification strategy since halting Russian shipments in late July under Washington’s influence.
Since Russia’s 2022 invasion of Ukraine, India had been one of the biggest buyers of discounted Russian oil, rarely sourcing from other markets. Now, Nigerian crude—highly sought for its low sulfur content and efficiency in producing gasoline and diesel—is gaining a stronger foothold in Asia’s import mix, traditionally dominated by Middle Eastern suppliers.
However, the surge in Nigerian exports to India presents an unusual twist. While millions of barrels are shipped east, Nigeria’s $20 billion Dangote Oil Refinery—the largest in Africa—has been importing much of its crude feedstock from the United States. In July alone, the refinery brought in an average of 10 million barrels, despite having a naira-for-crude supply agreement with the Nigerian government.
