Additionally, authorities may permit the production of oil products that do not comply with existing technical regulations. Previously, media reports indicated that certain oil refineries were allowed to produce gasoline and diesel fuel with deviations from requirements. Furthermore, the plan includes prioritizing fuel supplies to the domestic market and maximizing the loading of production capacities of oil companies.
Moreover, the authorities may temporarily reduce the mandatory sales of gasoline on exchanges from 15% to 10% of production volumes. The quantities not sold on the exchange are expected to be directed towards socially significant consumers, as reported by “Vedomosti” citing sources.
Igor Yushkov, an expert from the Financial University under the Government, noted that the payouts related to the price dampener for imported gasoline are linked to maintaining prices in the domestic market. According to analyst Sergey Kaufman from FG “Finam,” otherwise, gasoline at independent gas stations would cost significantly more. Sergey Tereshkin, CEO of Open Oil Market, believes regulators should consider the option of centralized fuel procurement from foreign suppliers using reserve fund resources.
At the beginning of June, the Russian Ministry of Energy explained the difficulties in fuel supply in certain southern regions as a consequence of airstrikes on fuel and energy infrastructure. The agency described the situation as temporary and reported the establishment of an industry headquarters to stabilize the situation. Later, the government allowed some refineries to produce gasoline according to “Euro-3” standards.
Several regions of Russia have introduced restrictions on the sale of fuel. Limits on fuel sales are already in effect in the Omsk and Saratov regions, according to regional authorities. In the Voronezh region, only one large gas station network has imposed restrictions so far. Gas stations in the Irkutsk and Vladimir regions have switched to a priority service order.
Source: M.Bizness
