US crude oil imports to India in 2025 likely to hit second highest on record

Amid pressure from the United States on India to stop Russian crude oil imports, Washington’s exports of the geopolitically sensitive commodity to New Delhi are already set to hit the second-highest on record in the 2025 calendar year (CY).

According to the latest data from the US Energy Information Administration (EIA), cumulative US crude oil exports to India stood around 3,603 thousand barrels per day (kb/d) during the January-November 2025 period, averaging at roughly 327.55 kb/d per month. The export numbers for December 2025 are yet to be updated.

At present, the 2025 export volumes are the third-highest on record, after 2021 CY (5,046 kb/d) and 2022 CY (3,745 kb/d).

However, refiners and analysts said India has upped its crude oil purchases from the US, and this year’s numbers are expected to surpass the volume recorded in 2022 CY.

The rising US share carries strategic value and supports diversification strategies. Higher energy imports from Washington will help narrow India’s trade deficit with the US and fit into New Delhi’s broader strategy of diversifying energy supply chains. The increase in crude trade also reinforces energy cooperation between New Delhi and Washington.

However, India’s purchases of US crude oil, particularly WTI Midland and Eagle Ford grades, have limited upside. For instance, WTI Midland, a light (API 40–42), naphtha-rich crude, yields fewer middle distillates (diesel) than the medium and heavy sours Indian refineries are optimised for.

US crude grades may replace some volumes from West Africa, such as Nigeria, which supplies light sweet crudes such as Bonny Light.

The longer voyage time (45–55 days) and higher freight costs compared with Middle Eastern and African grades curb competitiveness.

Last month, Sumit Ritolia, Kpler’s Lead Research Analyst for Refining & Modeling, said longer voyages, higher freight, and WTI’s lighter, naphtha-rich yield continue to constrain structural upside.

The elevated US presence in India’s crude basket underscores the deepening strategic energy alignment between the two countries and supports India’s broader diversification strategy balancing security, economics, and geopolitics.

Washington, which is India’s sixth-largest energy trade partner, has already sold energy-related commodities such as crude oil, liquefied natural gas (LNG), propane and coal worth $12.68 billion during the April-November period in FY26. In FY25, the energy trade between New Delhi and Washington stood at $13.75 billion.

Published on February 12, 2026