Indian oil companies Indian Oil Corporation (IOC) and Hindustan Petroleum have bought several million barrels of Russian Urals crude, the Times of India reported, citing sources.

“IOC, the country’s top oil company, late last week bought three million barrels of Urals through (European trader) Vitol for delivery in May at a discount of $20-25 per barrel compared to the Brent price on that date. Hindustan Petroleum this week made a purchase of two million barrels of Urals crude for loading in May,” the publication reported

Mangalore Refinery and Petrochemicals Ltd. has also announced a tender for the supply of one million barrels of similar crude oil.

In turn, Reliance Industries Ltd may refuse to buy Russian fuel, as sanctions against Moscow may affect its business, the publication notes.

On the eve of the official representative of the Indian Foreign Ministry Arindam Bagchi, responding during a briefing to a question about the possibility of a deal with Russia for the supply of 15 million barrels of oil said that New Delhi is “studying all opportunities in the global energy markets.”