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Reliance Buys First Venezuelan Crude Cargo Since Mid‑2025 at Brent Discount

The purchase uses U.S.-licensed trader sales that reopened Venezuelan barrels to non‑U.S. buyers.

Overview

  • Reliance has taken about 2 million barrels from Vitol for April delivery, according to reports citing unnamed sources, and the company did not comment.
  • Pricing was reported around $6.5–$7 per barrel below ICE Brent for April arrival, with offers to Asia indicated in a $5–$8 discount range.
  • Vitol and Trafigura received U.S. licences to market Venezuelan oil and have been offering March and April cargoes to buyers in India and China.
  • India’s foreign ministry said purchases from Venezuela will depend on commercial viability, emphasizing energy security considerations.
  • The development follows U.S. steps enabling third‑party sales of Venezuelan crude and coincides with tariff‑cut talks that Washington linked to reduced Russian oil imports.