India Increases Iran Oil Imports :
India increased its imports of Iran's oil to become its largest customer last month, partly offsetting a cut in Chinese purchases, as sanctions failed to significantly dent Tehran's sales, people in the oil industry said.
Iranian crude exports to India rose to 550,000 barrels a day in January, up 37.5% from December. That coincided with a 50% cut in exports to China, the result of a pricing dispute. Indian officials declined to comment.China now imports around 250,000 barrels a day from Iran.
Some analysts question, however, whether India can keep Iranian oil imports at such levels.
"I don't think India is insulated at all" from sanctions, said Trevor Houser, a partner at New York-based economic-research firm Rhodium Group. "So the question is just how long Tehran is willing to sell on credit and how long Tehran can go without hard currency."
Iran has been more flexible than other suppliers to India when it comes to payments, and accepted a delay on billion of dollars of arrears after sanctions disrupted payments last year.
Many Indian refineries are geared toward Iranian oil, making it more straightforward and cheaper to refine. There is no sign India is getting Iranian oil at a discount.
India Increases Iran Oil Imports - WSJ.com
India increased its imports of Iran's oil to become its largest customer last month, partly offsetting a cut in Chinese purchases, as sanctions failed to significantly dent Tehran's sales, people in the oil industry said.
Iranian crude exports to India rose to 550,000 barrels a day in January, up 37.5% from December. That coincided with a 50% cut in exports to China, the result of a pricing dispute. Indian officials declined to comment.China now imports around 250,000 barrels a day from Iran.
Some analysts question, however, whether India can keep Iranian oil imports at such levels.
"I don't think India is insulated at all" from sanctions, said Trevor Houser, a partner at New York-based economic-research firm Rhodium Group. "So the question is just how long Tehran is willing to sell on credit and how long Tehran can go without hard currency."
Iran has been more flexible than other suppliers to India when it comes to payments, and accepted a delay on billion of dollars of arrears after sanctions disrupted payments last year.
Many Indian refineries are geared toward Iranian oil, making it more straightforward and cheaper to refine. There is no sign India is getting Iranian oil at a discount.
India Increases Iran Oil Imports - WSJ.com