Venezuela sends 2-mn-barrel crude oil to India

Under Chavez, Venezuela has sought new markets for its crude, especially in rapidly growing Asian economies.

Venezuela sent 2 million barrels of crude oil to India in April as the South American country expands its efforts to find new markets beyond the United States, its top buyer.

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A tanker departed on April 5 for India's Sikka port carrying 1.3 million barrels of light-sour Mesa crude and 700,000 barrels of heavy Merey crude, state oil company Petroleos de Venezuela SA, or PDVSA, said in a statement on Tuesday.

PDVSA made a similar shipment in February.

Venezuela, the world's fifth largest oil exporter, plans to send 2 million barrels of oil monthly to India.

Under President Hugo Chavez, Venezuela has sought new markets for its crude, especially in rapidly growing Asian economies.