India’s state-run Hindustan Petroleum Corp Ltd (HPCL) is planning to import Venezuelan crude oil for the first time to expand its activities in the processing of heavier grades in its new fiscal year (FY) beginning in April, Chairman Vikas Kaushal said.

Indian refiners are evaluating Venezuelan crude supplies being marketed by trading houses Vitol and Trafigura under a U.S.-mandated sales mechanism following Washington’s recent action against Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro.

HPCL aims to enhance operational flexibility by leveraging two new facilities—the residue upgrading unit at its Vizag refinery and the Barmer refinery in Rajasthan—allowing it to raise heavy crude processing. The company has not previously processed Venezuelan oil but is now actively considering it as part of this strategy.

The refinery expects to begin crude processing at its 180,000 barrels per day Barmer refinery by the end of the month, a move that would make HPCL India’s second-largest state-run refiner after Indian Oil Corp, overtaking Bharat Petroleum Corp.

Kaushal said HPCL has recently purchased Brazilian Tupi crude and increased its intake of West African oil, while avoiding sanctioned Russian crude.

HPCL currently operates a 190,000 b/d refinery in Mumbai and a 300,000 b/d refinery in Vizag. The company also owns a 48.99% stake in HPCL-Mittal Energy Ltd, which runs the 226,000 b/d Bathinda refinery in Punjab. HPCL Mittal is in the process of expanding the Bathinda facility’s capacity by 10,000 b/d.