New Delhi: Reliance Industries Ltd (RIL), India’s largest fuel exporter and the country’s biggest buyer of Russian crude, has stopped importing Russian oil into its export-oriented refinery in order to comply with the European Union’s upcoming ban on petroleum products derived from Russian-origin crude.
RIL operates the world’s largest single-location refining complex at Jamnagar in Gujarat, consisting of two refineries—one dedicated solely to fuel exports. The EU is a major market for RIL’s refined fuel products.
In a statement, an RIL spokesperson confirmed:
“We have stopped importing Russian crude oil into our SEZ refinery with effect from 20 November. From 1 December, all product exports from the SEZ refinery will be obtained from non-Russian crude oil. This transition has been completed ahead of schedule to ensure full compliance with product-import restrictions coming into force on 21 January 2026.”
Compliance Ahead of Deadline
In July, the European Union announced a blanket ban—effective January 21, 2026—on imports of petroleum products refined from Russian oil in any third country. Exporters to the EU will be required to prove that their products are not derived from Russian-origin crude.
The move is part of Western efforts to restrict Moscow’s revenue from oil sales, which they say is helping fund the war in Ukraine. Russia remains one of the world’s largest oil exporters.
RIL Honors Existing Commitments
RIL said it is honouring all pre-committed shipments of Russian crude contracted before 22 October 2025, since transportation arrangements were already finalized.
“The final such cargo was loaded on 12 November. Any cargoes arriving on or after 20 November will be received and processed at our Domestic Tariff Area (DTA) refinery,” the spokesperson added.
US Sanctions Deadline Also Looms
The timing of RIL’s announcement comes just a day before the end of the U.S.-mandated wind-down period for dealings with Russian oil majors Rosneft and Lukoil. The U.S. imposed sanctions on the two companies on October 22 and set November 21 as the deadline to conclude all business transactions.
Rosneft and Lukoil are Russia’s largest oil producers and account for a major share of India’s Russian crude imports. RIL has a term contract with Rosneft to import up to 0.5 million barrels per day of crude.
With the shift away from Russian crude for its export-focused refinery, RIL is positioning itself to maintain uninterrupted access to EU markets while ensuring compliance with both EU and US sanctions.
