#kpler

Russia Crude Oil Sanctions Waiver: U.S. Plans to End Exemption, Impact on India The U.S. government, under the Trump administration, has announced plans to terminate the exemption granted to countries like India for importing Russian crude oil. This decision has raised concerns about its potential impact on India’s energy security and economy. The waiver, initially introduced to ease global supply chain disruptions and mitigate rising oil prices, has been extended multiple times but is now set to expire. The U.S. Department of State, led by Secretary Marco Rubio, has emphasized that the exemption was a temporary measure to address post-Iran War supply chain issues. Rubio stated that the policy’s primary goal was to open global oil markets and reduce the economic strain caused by sanctions. However, the administration now argues that the original rationale no longer applies, and the exemption should be revoked to align with broader U.S. foreign policy objectives. India, which has relied heavily on Russian oil imports since the Ukraine conflict began, faces significant challenges if the waiver is terminated. According to Energy Intelligence firm Kpler, India imported a record 2.3 million barrels per day (bpd) of Russian crude in the previous month, a figure made possible by the waiver. Without the exemption, Indian refiners would have to purchase oil at higher prices from the international spot market, increasing the country’s import costs. India’s energy dependence on imports is substantial, with approximately 90% of its oil demand met through foreign sources. During the Russia-Ukraine conflict, India became a key buyer of discounted Russian oil, which helped stabilize its energy costs. The waiver allowed India to bypass U.S. sanctions, enabling it to secure cheaper supplies amid global price volatility.#india #marco_rubio #trump_administration #kpler #hormuz_strait_crisis

Tankers Navigate Strait of Hormuz Amid Iranian Threats Using New Tactics Tankers from Western countries have increasingly turned off tracking devices to bypass Iranian surveillance and safely transit through the Strait of Hormuz, a critical oil shipping route. This strategy, revealed by shipping data provider Kpler, marks a significant shift in how oil carriers navigate the region amid heightened tensions with Iran. The move comes as Gulf nations seek to maintain uninterrupted oil exports despite ongoing geopolitical instability. Two additional tankers crossed the strait in recent weeks, with details of their journeys shedding light on the evolving dynamics of maritime security. On May 1, 2026, the Basrah Energy tanker, operated by the Iraqi oil company, departed from ADNOC’s Sir Bani Yas terminal in Abu Dhabi. It transported 2 million barrels of crude oil and successfully navigated the strait, arriving at Fujairah’s oil terminal on May 5. The vessel, flagged under Panama, was chartered by Sinokor Shipping, though the company did not comment on the operation. Further reports indicate that the Kiyar M tanker, also flagged under Panama, followed a similar route. Carrying 2 million barrels of Iraqi crude, it passed through the strait on May 8. However, details about its final destination remain unclear, highlighting the growing opacity of shipping movements in the region. The shift to disabling tracking systems reflects broader efforts by Gulf states and their partners to counter Iranian attempts to disrupt oil flows. Since the 2024 U.S.-Iran conflict, Iran has intensified its presence in the Gulf, using both military and cyber tactics to target commercial vessels. In response, companies like ADNOC have adopted measures to reduce the risk of detection, including deactivating satellite tracking devices.#iran #strait_of_hormuz #adnoc #kpler #sinokor_shipping

Brent oil spot price above $120 as ceasefire fails to solve deep disruption The price for actual Brent oil cargos surpassed $120 per barrel on Wednesday, nearly $30 higher than the June futures contract. This surge highlights the persistent tightness in global oil supplies, even as the U.S.-Iran ceasefire agreement remains in place. Analysts emphasize that restoring full oil flows will take months, regardless of the ceasefire’s success. The spot price for Brent crude oil reached $124.68 per barrel on Wednesday, signaling that the ceasefire is unlikely to resolve the deep supply disruptions caused by the five-week war. The spot price reflects immediate market conditions for oil deliveries within the next 10 to 30 days, contrasting with futures contracts for June and beyond. Despite a $19.75 drop in the spot price following the two-week ceasefire agreement between the U.S. and Iran, it remains $30 above the June futures contract, which closed at $94.75. This discrepancy underscores the ongoing scarcity of oil supplies, as analysts argue that the market is still grappling with the aftermath of the conflict. Amrita Sen, founder of Energy Aspects, explained that the spot price captures the real-world situation, including the shutdown of 13 million barrels per day of Middle East production due to a dramatic decline in tanker traffic through the Strait of Hormuz. Most tankers are now diverting to the U.S. to pick up oil, according to Sen, who noted that redirecting ships back to the Middle East could take until June. “It’s a complete mess,” Sen told CNBC’s “The Exchange,” highlighting the chaotic state of global oil logistics. Amena Bakr, an expert on the Middle East and OPEC at Kpler, added that hundreds of millions of barrels of oil have been removed from the market due to the war.#brent_oil #kpler #us_iran_ceasefire #amrita_sen #kuwait_petroleum_corporation

Indian Refiners Secure 60 Million Barrels of Russian Crude Amid Global Supply Strain Indian refiners have secured approximately 60 million barrels of Russian crude oil to ensure supply stability amid ongoing disruptions in global oil markets. The purchases, which include contracts signed at premiums of $5 to $15 per barrel over Brent crude, reflect efforts to secure energy supplies amid tensions in the Middle East and the closure of key shipping routes like the Strait of Hormuz. This volume is comparable to current-month imports but exceeds February levels, according to data intelligence firm Kpler. The decision follows a U.S. waiver allowing India to import Russian oil, which was initially issued to address supply constraints caused by the Strait of Hormuz crisis. The waiver was later expanded to include additional countries, permitting crude already at sea before March 12 to be purchased. India, which relies heavily on oil imports, has increasingly turned to Russian crude since the Russia-Ukraine conflict in 2022. However, purchases were previously scaled back due to U.S. pressure, prompting refiners to source oil from Saudi Arabia and Iraq. Many of those shipments, however, remained within the Persian Gulf after the escalation of recent conflicts. Indian officials expect the U.S. waiver to remain in effect as long as disruptions in the Hormuz route persist. Refiners such as Mangalore Refinery & Petrochemicals Ltd. and Hindustan Mittal Energy Ltd., which had avoided Russian supplies since December, have resumed participation in the market. At the same time, Indian refiners are diversifying their sourcing strategies to mitigate risks from global supply uncertainties.#strait_of_hormuz #kpler #indian_refiners #russian_crude #mangalore_refinery_petrochemicals_ltd

China's Heavy Reliance on Iranian Oil Imports China, the world's largest crude oil importer, has long been a key buyer of oil from Iran, a member of the Organization of Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC). However, this reliance faces challenges as the U.S. recently issued a 30-day sanctions waiver allowing limited Iranian oil exports, potentially increasing competition and prices for Chinese buyers. The waiver comes amid broader tensions over Iran’s nuclear program and its energy trade. China’s oil imports from Iran have been a strategic choice to reduce costs, especially as the country has also sourced significant volumes from Venezuela and Russia, both of which face Western sanctions. These purchases have helped China save billions of dollars on its import bill in recent years. According to data from the analytics firm Kpler, China accounted for over 80% of Iran’s shipped oil in 2025. Iranian crude has historically had limited buyers due to U.S. sanctions targeting Tehran’s nuclear activities. In 2025, China imported an average of 1.38 million barrels per day of Iranian oil, representing about 13.4% of its total seaborne crude imports, which totaled 10.27 million barrels per day. This volume highlights the scale of China’s dependence on Iranian oil despite international restrictions. The primary buyers of Iranian crude in China are independent refiners, often referred to as “teapots,” based mainly in Shandong province. These refiners are drawn to Iranian oil due to its price discounts compared to non-sanctioned barrels. Teapots account for roughly a quarter of China’s refinery capacity but operate on narrow or negative margins, making them vulnerable to fluctuations in domestic demand for refined products.#iran #china #kpler #organization_of_petroleum_exporting_countries #energy_aspects

Oil prices surge past $102 amid uncertainty over U.S. coalition efforts to secure tankers Oil prices climbed more than 2% on Tuesday, driven by growing concerns that President Donald Trump may struggle to assemble a reliable coalition to protect oil tankers navigating the Strait of Hormuz. Brent crude, the global benchmark, rose $2.35 to $102.56 per barrel, while U.S. crude gained 2.22% to $95.58 per barrel. The price increase followed statements from Trump, who claimed that NATO allies were unwilling to join a U.S.-led military campaign against Iran. The president’s comments on social media suggested the U.S. could proceed without allied support, dismissing the need for international collaboration. “U.S. NATO allies do not want to participate in the U.S. war against Iran,” Trump wrote, implying that the administration’s efforts to secure shipping lanes were facing significant resistance. This stance has fueled speculation about the effectiveness of any potential military response to recent Iranian attacks on oil tankers. The Strait of Hormuz, a critical maritime route between Oman and Iran, has become a focal point of global energy security. The strait accounts for approximately 31% of all seaborne crude oil shipments, with around 13 million barrels passing through daily in 2025, according to energy firm Kpler. Recent attacks on commercial vessels have disrupted oil flows, triggering fears of a prolonged supply crisis. Warren Patterson, head of commodities strategy at ING, highlighted the scale of the disruption, noting that “the sheer scale of the oil supply disruption makes it difficult for the market to find an adequate solution.” He pointed out that while the U.S. administration has proposed insurance guarantees and naval escorts for tankers, neither measure has been implemented.#iran #nato #donald_trump #strait_of_hormuz #kpler