Nitin Sandesara’s SEEPCO Delivers Six Million Barrels of Nigerian Crude to IOC, BPCL and HPCL Amid Hormuz Supply Concerns

LAGOS, Nigeria : Sterling Oil Exploration & Energy Production Company Limited (SEEPCO) announced that it shipped approximately six million barrels of crude oil between March and May 2026 to three of India’s leading state-owned refining companies — Indian Oil Corporation (IOC), Bharat Petroleum Corporation Limited (BPCL), and Hindustan Petroleum Corporation Limited (HPCL).

The shipments took place at a time when global energy markets were closely watching developments around the Strait of Hormuz, where rising geopolitical tensions have raised concerns about the reliability of crude oil supplies from the Persian Gulf. While uncertainty in the region contributed to market volatility, SEEPCO’s Okwuibome crude was exported from Nigeria’s Atlantic coast, bypassing the Gulf shipping corridor altogether.

The deliveries provided an alternative source of crude supply for three of India’s largest public-sector refiners during a period of heightened focus on energy security and supply chain resilience.

The Strait of Hormuz remains one of the world’s most important oil transit routes, linking the Persian Gulf with the Arabian Sea and carrying a significant share of global seaborne crude exports. Recent geopolitical developments have renewed discussions around the need for diversified energy supply sources among major oil-importing nations.

SEEPCO’s deliveries to IOC, BPCL, and HPCL highlight the role that non-Gulf crude producers can play in supporting supply continuity. Nigerian crude reaches international markets through Atlantic shipping routes, eliminating the need to transit through the Strait of Hormuz.

The shipments also reflect SEEPCO’s ongoing commercial relationship with India’s public-sector refining industry. Together, IOC, BPCL, and HPCL account for a substantial share of India’s refining capacity and fuel distribution network.

SEEPCO is currently the only Indian-owned crude oil producer operating within an OPEC member country. Its production assets in Nigeria provide access to crude supplies that serve international markets, including India.

Industry observers continue to stress the importance of supply diversification as governments and refiners seek to reduce exposure to potential disruptions in critical maritime trade routes. As discussions around the long-term security of the Strait of Hormuz continue, alternative supply channels remain a key component of energy security planning.

According to the company, the six million barrels delivered between March and May demonstrate how established production assets, logistics infrastructure, and long-standing commercial partnerships can help maintain supply reliability during periods of market uncertainty.

About SEEPCO

Owned by Nitin Sandesara, Sterling Oil Exploration & Energy Production Company Limited (SEEPCO) is a Nigeria-based oil exploration and production company engaged in the development and operation of upstream energy assets. The company produces crude oil from onshore Nigerian fields and supplies customers across international energy markets.