Russia’s Sokol Crude Backlog Clears Slowly as Cargoes Head to China
- As much as 18 million barrels of Sokol crude was left stranded
- Some Indian refiners stopped taking the grade in December
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A backlog of cargoes of Russia’s Sokol crude that built up off Singapore and South Korea is slowly clearing, with Russia seeking out new buyers for a grade previously favored by Indian refiners.
At its height, the stranded oil amounted to as much as 18 million barrels after Indian refiners shunned the grade following a tightening of sanctions enforcement by the US. Much of the oil was en route to Indian ports when the tankers turned around in mid-December, eventually finding their way to Strait of Malacca and the waters off Yeosu, South Korea, where they were held without any takers.