popular articles

Sanctions lifted on Venezuelan oil: Impact in Asia

With the lifting of sanctions on Venezuelan oil, Asian buyers, particularly China and India, could face increased competition for Latin American cargoes, potentially driving them to Middle Eastern sources.
Les Acheteurs de Pétrole Asiatiques Face à la Concurrence

Please share:

The recent lifting of sanctions on Venezuelan oil raises questions about its impact on Asian buyers. While China’s independent refineries continued to buy Venezuelan oil despite the sanctions, India and other Asian buyers largely refrained from purchasing this type of oil.

Impact of the Lifting of Sanctions on Asian Oil Buyers

 

US oil companies are now allowed to explore and invest in Venezuela, and US refineries can buy directly from PDVSA. This could lead to a reduction in purchases of Venezuelan oil by China and an increase in purchases by the United States, as Venezuela seeks to generate liquidity. Venezuelan oil will now have to compete with other heavy oil grades from Latin America and Canada on the US Gulf Coast market.

Competition for Latin American Cargoes

 

China’s independent refineries imported around 360,000 b/d of crude oil and 110,000 b/d of fuel oil from Venezuela in September. However, trade sources in China fear increased competition from the USA, Europe and India following the lifting of sanctions.

Chinese and Indian Oil Import Trends

 

During the pre-sanctions period from 2017 to 2019, India imported around 300,000 b/d of Venezuelan crude oil, mainly through private refineries such as Reliance Industries and Nayara Energy. Indian government officials have indicated that future crude oil imports from Venezuela will be in line with the country’s energy security policy. Nevertheless, analysts believe that the prospect of increased Venezuelan oil flows to India could change in the medium to long term.

Middle East Acid Crude Oil Price Concerns

 

Many refineries in North-East and South-East Asia fear that the lifting of sanctions on Venezuela could lead to higher prices for Middle Eastern sour crude oil if independent Chinese refineries reduce their imports from Venezuela. This could have an impact on Dubai’s crude oil price structure, which has already shown signs of fluctuation.

The lifting of sanctions on Venezuelan oil presents a potential change in the dynamics of Asian oil imports. China and India, as major buyers, face the challenge of increased competition from other regions, particularly the USA and Europe. While the immediate impact may be uncertain, the long-term effects on Asian oil sourcing strategies could lead to diversification away from traditional Latin American suppliers towards the Middle East.

Register free of charge for uninterrupted access.

Publicite

Recently published in

Amid uncertainty over Russian gas deliveries to Transnistria, Romania commits to ensuring Moldova's energy security this winter, with emergency measures for electricity and gas supplies.
The Norwegian industry anticipates a 4% increase in offshore investments in 2025, reaching NOK 275 billion, with enhanced exploration to slow the natural production decline.
The Norwegian industry anticipates a 4% increase in offshore investments in 2025, reaching NOK 275 billion, with enhanced exploration to slow the natural production decline.
The European Union strengthens its sanctions against Russia by blacklisting additional ships and entities linked to Rosneft to combat evasion of the G7 price caps on Russian oil exports.
The European Union strengthens its sanctions against Russia by blacklisting additional ships and entities linked to Rosneft to combat evasion of the G7 price caps on Russian oil exports.
The OPEC Fund has validated a financing portfolio totaling nearly one billion dollars in the fourth quarter of 2024, distributed across structuring projects in governance, infrastructure, and trade in several strategic regions.
The OPEC Fund has validated a financing portfolio totaling nearly one billion dollars in the fourth quarter of 2024, distributed across structuring projects in governance, infrastructure, and trade in several strategic regions.
The decline of the won against the dollar exposes South Korean refiners to significant losses on crude import costs, while the political crisis surrounding martial law undermines investor confidence.
London and Oslo announce a future industrial partnership focused on renewable energy and carbon capture, aiming to secure their energy and economic interests.
London and Oslo announce a future industrial partnership focused on renewable energy and carbon capture, aiming to secure their energy and economic interests.
Les « shadow tankers » : un réseau clandestin qui alimente les revenus pétroliers russes et iraniens
Les « shadow tankers » : un réseau clandestin qui alimente les revenus pétroliers russes et iraniens
A joint investment between Canada and the United States aims to develop Yukon’s infrastructure and accelerate the exploitation of critical minerals essential for North American security and clean energy.
A joint investment between Canada and the United States aims to develop Yukon’s infrastructure and accelerate the exploitation of critical minerals essential for North American security and clean energy.
Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic warns of imminent US sanctions against NIS, majority-owned by Gazprom Neft and Gazprom. A decision that could escalate geopolitical tensions in Europe.
Faced with Donald Trump’s proposed tariffs, Ontario’s Premier considers suspending electricity exports to several U.S. states, jeopardizing the supply of 12 billion kWh annually.
Faced with Donald Trump’s proposed tariffs, Ontario’s Premier considers suspending electricity exports to several U.S. states, jeopardizing the supply of 12 billion kWh annually.
During a visit to Abuja, German President Frank-Walter Steinmeier and his Nigerian counterpart Bola Ahmed Tinubu discussed their energy partnership, focusing on renewable energy and hydrogen.
During a visit to Abuja, German President Frank-Walter Steinmeier and his Nigerian counterpart Bola Ahmed Tinubu discussed their energy partnership, focusing on renewable energy and hydrogen.
The European Union strengthens sanctions against Russia by targeting new tankers involved in the transport of Russian oil and expanding its blacklist of entities supporting Moscow's military effort.
The European Union strengthens sanctions against Russia by targeting new tankers involved in the transport of Russian oil and expanding its blacklist of entities supporting Moscow's military effort.
Ecuador is experiencing a marked increase in diesel and gasoline imports due to ongoing challenges in its refineries, exacerbated by extended maintenance periods.
The overthrow of the Syrian regime disrupts Iranian oil deliveries, crucial for local energy supply. The cessation of this source highlights the growing energy challenges in the region.
The overthrow of the Syrian regime disrupts Iranian oil deliveries, crucial for local energy supply. The cessation of this source highlights the growing energy challenges in the region.
Global demand for liquefied natural gas (LNG) is rising rapidly. Europe must strengthen its competitiveness to secure supply amidst growing competition from Asian and American markets.
Global demand for liquefied natural gas (LNG) is rising rapidly. Europe must strengthen its competitiveness to secure supply amidst growing competition from Asian and American markets.
The U.S. government plans a new oil lease sale in the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge, a Congress-mandated initiative sharply criticized for its environmental impacts.
The U.S. government plans a new oil lease sale in the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge, a Congress-mandated initiative sharply criticized for its environmental impacts.
The collapse of Bashar al-Assad's regime has prompted reactions in oil markets, with a moderate rise in prices. The geopolitical implications for the region and their effects on energy supplies remain uncertain.
Faced with weakened demand, Saudi Aramco lowers its official selling prices for Arab Light crude destined for Asia, reaching levels not seen since January 2021. A decision influenced by global dynamics and uncertain market prospects.
Faced with weakened demand, Saudi Aramco lowers its official selling prices for Arab Light crude destined for Asia, reaching levels not seen since January 2021. A decision influenced by global dynamics and uncertain market prospects.
Russian Gas: Putin Expands Payment Options Amid US Sanctions
Russian Gas: Putin Expands Payment Options Amid US Sanctions
The U.S. administration urges international partners to unite against Iran-backed Houthis responsible for massive attacks on ships in the strategic Red Sea region. Military, economic, and diplomatic stakes are intensifying.
The U.S. administration urges international partners to unite against Iran-backed Houthis responsible for massive attacks on ships in the strategic Red Sea region. Military, economic, and diplomatic stakes are intensifying.
OPEC+ adopts online meetings, centralizing the decision-making process. This transition raises questions about transparency and tensions among producers facing increasing pressure in the oil market.
Orano loses control of its subsidiary in Niger: 1,150 tons of uranium blocked
Orano loses control of its subsidiary in Niger: 1,150 tons of uranium blocked
Several agreements have been concluded between French and Saudi companies in renewable energy, waste management, and technological innovations, consolidating diplomatic and economic relations between the two nations.
Several agreements have been concluded between French and Saudi companies in renewable energy, waste management, and technological innovations, consolidating diplomatic and economic relations between the two nations.
Qatar will invest one billion pounds in climate technologies in the United Kingdom, an agreement hailed by Prime Minister Keir Starmer as a "significant step forward" during the official visit of Emir Al-Thani.
Qatar will invest one billion pounds in climate technologies in the United Kingdom, an agreement hailed by Prime Minister Keir Starmer as a "significant step forward" during the official visit of Emir Al-Thani.

Advertising