New Delhi: Indian imports of Russian crude oil in July are expected to surpass five million barrels per day (mb/d) and maintain the import level in June, when crude oil barrels from Russia accounted for half of the country’s crude imports, reported The Hindu Business Line.“July imports will surpass 5 million barrels per day (mb/d) with Russia accounting for around 2.6-2.7 mb/d. August can also follow the same trajectory as first half supplies are largely done. West Asian producers’ share is rising with suppliers using alternate routes such as Sohar port in Oman and the UAE’s Fujairah and Khor Fakkan ports. However, they are yet to pick up steam,” Business Line quoted a senior official with a refiner as saying.While prior to the West Asia crisis, almost 50% of India’s crude oil imports came from West Asia via the Strait of Hormuz, after the crisis started in February end, West Asia’s share dropped to 30%, resulting in more imports of Russian crude.“Russian crude imports rose to around 2.6 mbd in June, accounting for more than 50 per cent of India’s crude imports, and have been steadily increasing since March. July arrivals are also tracking at healthy levels and could match or even exceed June’s volumes,” said Sumit Ritolia, Kpler’s Lead Research Analyst for Refining & Modeling.The Wire had earlier reported that as per a latest analysis by the Centre for Research on Energy and Clean Air (CREA), crude oil accounted for 83% of India’s total Russian fossil fuel imports. Crude oil imports from Russia amounted to €4.8 billion ($5.55 billion) in May alone. Among other fossil fuel imports, oil products contributed €550 million, while coal imports were around €429 million.Mostly due to the high imports of Russian crude, India’s overall crude import volumes rose to 8% month-on-month during May.Last year, the Trump administration had imposed a 25% ‘penalty’ tariff on Indian exports citing the purchase of Russian crude, atop an already heavy 25% ‘reciprocal’ tariff. This penalty was withdrawn earlier this year but Trump had said that his government could consider re-imposing the levy were New Delhi to “directly or indirectly” resume intake.“There are currently few alternative suppliers capable of replacing Russian crude at the same scale, reliability, and economics. Russian crude remains the most practical and competitive source of supply for Indian refiners, and under current market conditions, it is difficult to see those volumes disappearing from the system in the near term,” said Ritolia.