India’s state owned refiner Indian Oil Corporation has shifted away from U.S. crude in its latest purchase and secured Nigerian barrels instead. The company bought two million barrels of Nigerian crude including Agbami and Usan grades from TotalEnergies along with one million barrels of Das crude from the Middle East for delivery between late October and early November. The deal marks a sharp turn from just a week earlier when Indian Oil had acquired five million barrels of U.S. West Texas Intermediate.
The decision comes at a time of intense global reshuffling in energy markets. Western sanctions on Russia have disrupted traditional flows of crude while Washington has grown increasingly vocal about India’s reliance on discounted Russian oil. By diversifying supplies through Nigeria and other producers, Indian refiners are seeking to balance geopolitical pressures with their growing domestic demand.
For Nigeria the move provides a timely boost. As Africa’s largest crude exporter the country has faced challenges from fluctuating global demand and competition from Middle Eastern suppliers. Fresh demand from India one of the fastest growing energy markets could give Nigerian exports a stronger foothold and help stabilize revenues.
Analysts suggest that India’s strategy reflects a broader trend among Asian economies to secure flexible supply lines. By sourcing crude from Africa the Middle East and even Latin America, refiners are working to minimize risk in a volatile market where sanctions politics and price swings can quickly reshape trade.
This latest deal underscores how the oil trade is adapting under pressure from sanctions and shifting alliances. While the United States remains a key supplier to India, the growing role of Nigeria highlights the changing balance of power in global energy flows.