(Bloomberg). — The Far East’s Russian Sokol crude has sold out in Cargoes for the Month of Next month, a signal that buyers continue to be interested in the pariah nation’s shipments despite Moscow being subject to more sanctions in connection with its conflict in Ukraine.

Sakhalin I project May-loading cargoes will be shipped to India, South Korea and China on either a term or spot basis. Sokol is a good source of diesel and can be shipped within one week to countries in North Asia.

Russian oil is still finding its way to willing buyers that either can’t resist the temptation of cheaper crude, or are struggling to find replacement barrels as many others seek alternatives to the OPEC+ producer’s supplies. The U.S. and its allies are planning a massive release of strategic reserves to soften the economic fallout of Russia’s war in Ukraine, which is in its second month. 

Japan’s Sakhalin Oil and Gas Development Co., known as SODECO, sold Sokol cargoes to a Japanese buyer as well as a South Korean refiner via a term deal, the traders said. India’s ONGC Videsh Ltd. sold shipments to two Indian state-run refiners, they added. Both are equity partners in Sakhalin-I, alongside Russia’s Rosneft PJSC and operator Exxon Mobil Corp (NYSE :

Trafigura Group, which Rosneft supplies with Sokol, sold cargoes to destinations including China’s Shandong province, home to many of the nation’s private refiners, traders said. They added that Exxon would use part of Sokol to build its own refineries. According to the program, ten cargoes are scheduled for May-loading. 

SODECO declined to comment, while ONGC, Exxon and Trafigura didn’t immediately respond to emails seeking comment.

Traders reported that they have received offers from Russian ESPO oil. This is an additional grade of crude which comes from Far East. It can be delivered to Shandong. To tempt buyers, some sellers are now accepting yuan.

Russia’s flagship Urals crude, which is shipped from ports in the Baltic and Black Seas, has also been making its way to India and China. That’s led to the Biden administration warning India about aligning itself with Russia.

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