In a decisive move, India’s state refiner IOC bypassed U.S. crude this week and opted for 2 million barrels of Nigerian oil and 1 million barrels of Das crude from the Middle East—marking a stark shift in its energy sourcing.

The Nigerian oil was procured on a free-on-board basis, while the Das crude was bought delivered, timing arrival for late October to early November. This shift comes as U.S. oil becomes relatively more expensive, making African and Middle Eastern barrels more appealing.

This adjustment reflects broader global changes, especially sanctions on Russian oil. India is reshaping its energy supply lines, seeking affordability and geopolitical resilience from trusted partners like Nigeria and the Gulf region.