India's Russian Oil Imports Hold Steady as Middle East Fills Gaps

India's imports of Russian crude oil have remained steady at around 1.8 million barrels per day in September, despite some fluctuations in previous months.

The country has been receiving about 2.08 million bpd from Russia this month, slightly down from August's 2.82 million bpd but still near the July levels of 2.08 million bpd.

Refinery maintenance and Russian export disruptions have contributed to the dip in Russian oil imports, while Middle Eastern suppliers like Iraq and Saudi Arabia have stepped in to fill the gap.

Nikhil Dubey, Lead Analyst for Refining at Kpler, notes that a significant reduction in Russian crude purchases is unlikely despite potential future sanctions, as India prioritizes energy security.