17 Jun 2012

India seeks more oil from OPEC

1:40 pm on 17 June 2012

India is seeking extra oil supplies from Saudi Arabia, Qatar and Algeria, as it reduces its dependence on Iran.

A government statement said India has sought an additional 100,000 barrels per day from Saudi Arabia - equivalent to five million tonnes per year.

Supplies from the kingdom in 2011/12 were 640,000 barrels per day.

India was exempted on Monday from the latest US sanctions aimed against Iran's nuclear programme. It is Iran's second-biggest customer.