Reliance Industries stops Russian crude imports at SEZ refinery ahead of curbs

Reliance Industries Ltd

(RIL) on Thursday, November 20, stated that it has stopped importing Russian crude oil into its Special Economic Zone (SEZ) refinery, completing its transition to non-Russian feedstock ahead of upcoming product-import restrictions.

A RIL spokesperson said, “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. The crude oil import in SEZ is a fully segregated facility catering to the production line in SEZ.”

The company spokesperson added that all pre-committed liftings of Russian crude as of October 22, 2025 are being honoured, since shipping and logistical arrangements had already been finalised. The final such cargo was loaded on November 12, he added.

Any consignments of Russian crude arriving on or after November 20 will be diverted to the company’s Domestic Tariff Area (DTA) refinery, which remains outside the scope of the new SEZ-specific restrictions.

“Any cargoes arriving on or after 20 November will be received and processed at our refinery in the Domestic Tariff Area (DTA). All operational activities ordinarily incident to such oil supply transactions can be completed, we believe, in a compliant way,” the spokesperson further said.

The oil-telco-retail conglomerate’s move comes amid tightening global sanctions and compliance norms around the trade and processing of Russian oil.

The Trump administration has exerted significant pressure on India to halt its imports of Russian energy.

Currently, Indian exports to the United States face a steep tariff of 50%, placing them among the highest in countries trading with the US, alongside Brazil.

An additional 25% tariff was imposed as a penalty for India’s continued purchase of Russian oil.