India’s petroleum refining industry delivered one of its strongest performances ever in 2025, turning global geopolitical turmoil into a commercial opportunity.
Even as sanctions, shipping bottlenecks and shifting crude supply chains reshaped energy flows, Indian refiners expanded exports to record levels, reinforcing the country’s growing importance in the global fuels trade.
India exported about 1.28 million barrels per day of refined petroleum products during 2025, marking a 4% increase from the previous year. This surge was powered by high refinery utilisation, flexible plant configurations and strong arbitrage opportunities across Asia and the Atlantic Basin.
Overseas refining margins remained elevated as the Russia-Ukraine war and Middle East disruptions constrained supply in key consuming regions, making Indian barrels increasingly attractive.
The ramp-up of new domestic refining capacity also played a role. Higher output from recently commissioned units and debottlenecking at existing plants lifted overall throughput, allowing refiners to meet domestic demand while still sending large volumes abroad.
Reliance Industries remained the backbone of India’s fuel exports, shipping about 911,000 barrels per day during the year, accounting for over 70% of the country’s total refined product exports.
The company’s export-oriented Jamnagar complex continues to operate with non-Russian crude, allowing it to supply regulated markets without exposure to sanction-related risks.
A notable shift occurred in the second position, where Mangalore Refinery and Petrochemicals (MRPL) moved ahead of Nayara Energy. MRPL exported around 121,000 barrels per day, overtaking Nayara, whose shipments fell to roughly 107,000 barrels per day. This marked the 1st time MRPL became India’s second-largest fuel exporter.
Nayara’s decline reflected growing restrictions on its operations following European sanctions, which limited its access to non-Russian crude and curtailed its ability to sell into certain markets.
Diesel and jet fuel continued to make up about half of India’s refined product exports, reflecting global transport and aviation demand.
With more refining capacity coming online including new projects in Rajasthan and expansions at existing complexes, India is expected to have even greater volumes available for overseas markets.
Exports in value terms reached about $52 billion in the 1st 11 months of 2025, underlining how refined fuels remain one of India’s most important export categories.
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India’s record petroleum exports in 2025 highlight how its refining sector has emerged as a strategic global supplier, able to capitalise on supply disruptions and shifting trade flows. With rising capacity, flexible operations and strong international demand, refined fuels are set to remain a critical pillar of India’s export engine even as the global energy map continues to be redrawn.
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Published on: Jan 13, 2026, 1:25 PM IST
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