Saudi Arabia, Iraq, and Kuwait are planning to boost crude oil shipments to India in December, sources from multiple Indian refiners said. This comes as India seeks alternatives to Russian oil, following tighter Western sanctions on Moscow’s top producers.

The sanctions, which target Russian energy firms including Rosneft and Lukoil, have disrupted trade, prompting Indian refiners to turn to Middle Eastern suppliers. Sources indicate that Indian refiners have already received their requested allocations from Saudi Arabia and Iraq, with at least one refiner receiving higher shipments from Iraq compared to previous months. Saudi Aramco has also increased deliveries to other Indian buyers, while Kuwait Petroleum is supplying more crude for both November and December.

Industry insiders noted that Saudi Arabia, Iraq, and Kuwait currently have abundant crude, allowing them to meet rising demand from India. Reductions in official selling prices by Saudi Aramco and Iraq’s state marketer SOMO have further encouraged Indian refiners to increase purchases from the region.

Following the sanctions, Indian refiners have also turned to the spot market, buying oil from the Middle East, Iraq, and the United States to ensure steady supply despite restrictions on Russian barrels.