Reliance Resumes Russian Crude Buys for Jamnagar
Reliance Industries Ltd has restarted purchases of discounted Russian crude oil after a pause following U.S. sanctions on major Russian producers. The Indian energy and petrochemicals company is sourcing barrels from suppliers not subject to sanctions and routing them to its refinery complex in Jamnagar, Gujarat.
US Concession Allows Wind-Down
The company has also obtained a one-month concession from the United States government allowing it to receive cargoes from Russia’s state-controlled producer Rosneft that were contracted before U.S. sanctions took effect in October 2025. This concession is intended to let Reliance wind down existing deals in a sanctions-compliant way without facing penalties.
Shipments and Refinery Operations
Since late November, Reliance has received several shipments of Russian crude tied to contracts signed before the sanctions deadline. These shipments are being processed at the India-focused portion of the Jamnagar complex, which supplies fuel to the domestic market. The export-oriented side of the refinery stopped taking Russian crude earlier to remain compliant with stringent European Union fuel export rules, which prohibit acceptance of fuel from refineries that processed Russian oil within 60 days.
Impact on India’s Imports
The resumption of Russian oil buys by Reliance is expected to slow the decline in India’s overall Russian crude imports, which had been projected to drop sharply under ongoing sanctions pressure. Purchasing Russian crude at discounts helps Reliance manage feedstock costs, but the company says it is acting within the terms of the U.S. and EU regulatory frameworks.
Strategic Context
India remains one of the largest buyers of Russian crude amid Western sanctions linked to the Ukraine conflict. Reliance’s actions reflect efforts by refiners to balance global regulatory compliance with securing competitively priced oil for domestic supply needs.
