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Russia’s Disputed Oil Trade Hits India’s Refinery Margins

OIL PRODUCTS

India’s state-run refiners are facing headwinds as Russian oil becomes more expensive and less accessible, according to Bloomberg.

  • Disruption by Houthis in the Red Sea have pushed up freight rates, while a clamp-down on sanctions enforcement has stranded some Russian cargoes headed to India.
  • This could force Indian suppliers to pull more expensive cargoes from the Middle East.
  • expectations are that that they will fall across 2024. However, they will still be above pre-war levels, Bloomberg said.
  • In contrast to private refiners such as Reliance, state-run refiners tend to sell products domestically and don’t benefit from higher international prices.
  • Margins should hold around $10/b provided crude prices are below $90/b, according to CareEdge forecasts.
  • Flows of diesel from India to Europe fell 90% in H2 Feb compared to full-month Jan at just 18k b/d, according to Vortexa.

Source: Bloomberg

Source: Bloomberg

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