CRUDE CALCULATIONS
Business Standard|September 09, 2024
More cheap oil from Venezuela is coming to Indian shores. How big an opportunity is this?
S DINAKAR

Sometime soon, perhaps on Tuesday or Wednesday, Degas, a very large crude carrier laden with Venezuelan oil, is expected to dock at Jamnagar to unload 2 million barrels of dirty, high sulphur crude oil, shipping data shows. With this, the cheapest crude available to India is again within reach, nearly five months after the United States reimposed restrictions on oil exports from the South American nation.

The 42-day journey, made around the horn of Africa, to evade missiles hurled by the Houthi rebels on tankers taking the shorter Suez Canal route, will end at India's west coast on September 11, according to data from Paris-based market intelligence agency Kpler. Reliance, India's second biggest refiner, operates a 1.36 million barrels per day (bpd) refinery in Jamnagar where it has the capability to process some of the dirtiest crudes.

The dark, viscous Merey aboard the Degas is one such. It is also acidic in nature, corrosive and tougher to refine into petrol or diesel. These oils are available at large discounts to the Gulf and Russian oils populating the Indian crude universe, enabling huge savings.

Venezuelan grades were, on an average, cheaper by $15-19 a barrel (bbl) this year compared to the Indian crude import basket, according to oil ministry and customs data. That translates into annual savings of $3 billion annually based on peak volumes, according to Business Standard's calculations.

This story is from the September 09, 2024 edition of Business Standard.

Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.

This story is from the September 09, 2024 edition of Business Standard.

Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.

MORE STORIES FROM BUSINESS STANDARDView All
Business Standard

Avoid partial payout: Buy health cover with fewer sub-limits

At a recent Confederation of Indian Industry (CII) summit, Satyajit Tripathi, member (distribution), Insurance Regulatory and Development Authority of India (Irdai), highlighted that grievances in general insurance, especially health insurance, mainly revolve around claim payments.

time-read
2 mins  |
September 17, 2024
'Largecaps appear reasonably valued'
Business Standard

'Largecaps appear reasonably valued'

Investors entering equities should come in with a long-term horizon to ensure short-term fluctuations amid high valuations do not derail the wealth generation, says DEEPAK SHENOY, chief executive officer and founder of Capitalmind.

time-read
3 mins  |
September 17, 2024
Business Standard

Sustained FPI activity lifts Sensex, Nifty

Equity benchmark index Sensex rebounded nearly 100 points to hit a lifetime closing high on Monday and Nifty scaled an intraday record level, propelled by bargain hunting in energy, utility and banking stocks amid sustained foreign fund inflows.

time-read
1 min  |
September 17, 2024
Business Standard

Investors may book partial profit: Brokerages

Analysts on Monday attributed the blockbuster debut of Bajaj Housing Finance Ltd (BHFL) on the bourses to its strong fundamentals and the brand 'Bajaj', and said it could emerge as a long-term wealth creator.

time-read
2 mins  |
September 17, 2024
Interest, trust of investors humbling: Sanjiv Bajaj
Business Standard

Interest, trust of investors humbling: Sanjiv Bajaj

Sanjiv Bajaj, chairman and managing director of Bajaj Finserv, on Monday said he expected 12-15 per cent credit growth in the housing finance industry, amid the strong tailwinds in the economy.

time-read
1 min  |
September 17, 2024
Business Standard

Trent may replace Bajaj Finserv in Sensexrejig in December

Bajaj Housing Finance Ltd's impressive stock market debut has brought cheer to the 100year-old Bajaj Group, but the conglomerate faces the prospect of Bajaj Finserv being removed from the benchmark Sensex index.

time-read
1 min  |
September 17, 2024
Business Standard

Sebi withdraws earlier statement on staff unrest

The Securities and Exchange Board of India (Sebi) on Monday said it was amicably addressing the concerns of its protesting employees on \"internal\" matters, as it withdrew an earlier press release that claimed that its staff's complaints were influenced by external elements.

time-read
1 min  |
September 17, 2024
Business Standard

The clash of 'will'power: The jury is still out

Following courtroom drama, experts analyse which one will dominate legal proceedings

time-read
3 mins  |
September 17, 2024
FIRST LINE OF DEFENCE
Business Standard

FIRST LINE OF DEFENCE

Why New Delhi is underlining the role of border villages as custodians of India's frontiers

time-read
4 mins  |
September 17, 2024
Business Standard

A fine balance

Markets in agriculture must be allowed to function

time-read
2 mins  |
September 17, 2024