With the ongoing sanctions on Russian crude exports, East Asia—traditionally reliant on stable long-haul supplies—is witnessing a realignment of energy corridors. From shadow fleet logistics to discounted Ural barrels flooding non-Western markets, this shift has not only affected benchmark pricing but also exposed vulnerabilities in regional refining strategies.
In this post, I will explore:
How China, India, and Malaysia are adjusting procurement strategies
The role of shadow tankers in navigating sanctions
Why regional refining margins are increasingly volatile
How this disruption could accelerate local upstream investments and new crude contracts (e.g., yuan-denominated deals)
