State-owned Indian Oil Corporation floated its first tender to purchase high-sulfur, or sour, crude from North America as it seeks to diversify imports.
BusinessLine reports that India’s largest oil refiner is seeking to buy the crude grades Mars, Southern Green Canyon and Thunderhorse from the United States, and Western Canadian Select from Canada. Sellers are to deliver the oil in late September or early October.
Indian refiners consider these heavy, high-sulfur grades as feedstocks. After effecting modifications at their plants, these types of crude grades are easier to process and they typically sell at a lower cost compared to other oil types. The U.S. could become an alternative source for the Indian companies for these grades.
