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Russia increases fuel imports from Belarus as domestic supplies diminish

Russia has increased fuel imports from neighbouring Belarus in March to take on the danger of shortages in its domestic market since of unscheduled repairs at Russian refineries after drone attacks, 4 industry and trade sources said on Wednesday.

Typically Russia is a net exporter of fuel and a supplier to global markets, but the interruption of Russian refining has forced oil companies to import.

Currently Russia banned gasoline exports from March 1 to attempt to protect sufficient fuel for its domestic market after repeated Ukrainian drone attacks on Russian refineries given that the start of the year.

Russia typically imports really little fuel from Belarus, although it turned to it last August-to-October, when it dealt with fuel scarcities that resulted in a fast rise in gas rates and prompted another oil product export ban.

This year, Russia has actually again increased gasoline imports from Belarus, and in the first half of March they reached practically 3,000 metric heaps, sources familiar with the statistics stated.

In February, Russia imported 590 loads, while in January, there were no shipments from Belarus.

2 industry sources, who requested privacy since they were not authorised to speak openly, stated discussions on even more imports were happening between federal governments and oil companies.

One of them said the talks were challenging as Belarus prioritises exports of its fuel to global markets.

Just how much will be needed by Russia will depend on the timing of refinery repairs, another of the sources said.

Russian oil companies can increase oil supplies to Belarusian refineries in return for additional petroleum items for supply to Russia, the market sources stated.

Belarus normally exports its oil items through Russian Baltic ports to international markets under long-lasting transit arrangements in between the states.

Belarus has two oil refineries - the Naftan oil refinery in Novopolotsk and the Mozyr oil refinery.

Each has a capability of 12 million lots each year (some. 240,000 barrels daily), but they usually run at lower. capability, each refining about 9 million lots annually (some. 180,000 barrels per day).

It is uncertain just how much Belarus can increase production and. market sources have stated there are technical bottlenecks.

Russia's Energy ministry and Belarus's state oil company. Belneftekhim, which runs both of the republic's refineries,. did not address ask for remark.

Neither did Russia's Rosneft, Lukoil, Tatneft and. Gazpromneft, all significant oil providers to Belarus and operators of. gasoline station in the republic.

The refineries in Belarus utilize mostly Russian oil as a. feedstock, while Russian oil companies, which have Belarusian. subsidiaries, likewise buy gas from the refineries to supply. their Belarusian fuel stations.