Agreement on Belarus-Russia common oil market under discussion

NOVOPOLOTSK, 8 June (BelTA) – The Energy and Transport Commission of the Parliamentary Assembly of the Belarus-Russia Union State convened in Novopolotsk to discuss the formation of a common market for oil and oil products in Belarus and Russia, BelTA has learned.

Taking part in the meeting was Aleksei Kushnarenko, Chairman of the Energy and Transport Commission of the Parliamentary Assembly of the Belarus-Russia Union State, member of the Standing Commission for Foreign Affairs and National Security of the Council of the Republic of the National Assembly of Belarus. According to him, the common market for oil and oil products is of fundamental importance for Belarus and Russia. “Now we are working on fundamental documents that will regulate this field - an agreement on the common market and common rules for transportation of oil and oil products. Novopolotsk was chosen as a venue for our meeting for a reason. We toured the local industry giant Naftan. The operation of this company directly depends on relations between Belarus and Russia. Today we can say that these relations are based on trust and mutual support,” Aleksei Kushnarenko emphasized.

For many years, the enterprise has been purchasing equipment, materials, chemical components, catalysts, and other products from the Russian Federation. Cooperation in import substitution can be described as vibrant. The company's new product petroleum coke – is also shipped to the Russian market along with other products.

The enterprise has marked its 60th anniversary this year. Naftan is finishing the implementation of the largest investment project in its history – commissioning of a delayed coking complex. This is the first project of this kind not only for the company, but also for entire Belarus. Due to the introduction of the delayed coking complex, the oil refining depth has reached 92%. Light oil products account for more than 70% of the output.

The delayed coking complex comprises 19 interconnected technological and auxiliary facilities. The key element of the complex is a delayed coker. In January 2022, the company launched a new product - petroleum coke. It is used as a fuel in the cement and energy industries.

The commissioning of the complex allows producing more than 430,000 tonnes of petroleum coke per year. The annual gasoline output has risen by 220,000 tonnes, and that of diesel fuel by 640,000 tonnes. Sulfur dioxide emissions have dropped by 85% after the commissioning of the sulfur recovery unit based on the Claus Process (the unit is part of the delayed coking complex).