Russia to face another fuel shortage in September as Belarusian refinery undergoes maintenance

The autumn peak in fuel demand may coincide with major maintenance at Russian oil refineries and at one of Belarus's two refineries. This could create another fuel shortage in Russia, as the Belarusian refinery has been actively supplying fuel to the Russian market.

Source: Russian newspaper Kommersant

Details: Reduced supplies from Belarus could be offset by imports from India. However, these supplies are likely to be redirected to petrol stations operated by major oil companies.

In Belarus, the refinery in Novopolotsk will undergo maintenance. It is one of the country's two oil refineries. Its installed capacity, like that of the Mozyr refinery, is 12 million tonnes per year.

Belarus has been actively making up for the decline in Russian refining capacity following Ukrainian strikes on Russian refineries. In July, Belarus recorded a record level of fuel shipments to Russia, supplying 212,000 tonnes of petrol and 162,000 tonnes of diesel fuel.

However, shipments of Belarusian fuel began to decline in early August. Sales of rail shipments of Belarusian petrol to Russia between 20 July and 12 August amounted to 21,000 tonnes, compared with 165,000 tonnes between 22 June and 17 July. Diesel fuel shipments showed a similar trend.

Russian energy expert Kirill Rodionov believes that maintenance at the Naftan refinery will primarily affect consumers in the Volga region, who have relied on the plant's fuel supplies.

In addition to the Naftan refinery, major Russian refineries are also scheduled to undergo maintenance in September, including TAIF's Nizhnekamsk refinery.

Background: A new wave of fuel shortages that began in early August has spread to almost the whole of Russia. Most regions are experiencing serious restrictions on fuel sales. Sixteen regions have introduced partial restrictions.

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