MINSK, 3 January (BelTA) – The Belarusian state petrochemical concern Belneftekhim is ready to satisfy the domestic demand for automobile fuel in full, BelTA learned from the concern's Deputy Chairman Andrei Bunakov on 3 January.
The official said: “The available reserves of fuel and the operating mode of our oil refineries allow fully satisfying the domestic demand for all kinds of motor fuel and other oil products. This is why we don't see reasons to worry about possible shortages on the home market.”
According to the source, the reserves are sufficient for meeting the domestic demand in January and later on. Andrei Bunakov reminded that a certain amount of oil is extracted in Belarus. Apart from that, there are state reserves and crude oil linefill in OAO Gomeltransneft Druzhba. “All of it will allow us to work on the home market without any shocks,” he stressed.
The domestic market is always the top priority for Belneftekhim in any case. This is why the export of oil products has been temporarily suspended in order to surely meet the domestic demand. Andrei Bunakov pointed out that the Belarusian side intends to honor all its export-related obligations. “We have a certain leeway as far as the time to honor our commitments is concerned. Our partners will not be affected as we deal with issues in the course of negotiations. The measures we are taking will allow us to honor the commitments,” he added.
Negotiations on oil deliveries to Belarus continue.
The official went on saying: “We continue negotiations with Russian companies on signing contracts on oil deliveries to Belarusian oil refineries. However, the contracts have not been signed for now and the current situation does not represent the best stage in economic cooperation with Russian partners, particularly taking into account the implementation of another stage of the tax maneuver in Russia.”
At present Belarus buys Russian oil at 83% of the global price. “No doubt, it has a negative effect on the disparity of prices for motor fuel on the domestic markets of Belarus and Russia taking into account the compensation the Russian Federation grants to its own oil refineries,” Andrei Bunakov concluded.
BelTA reported earlier that Belarusian oil refineries -- Mozyr Oil Refinery and OAO Naftan – have reduced their workload to the minimum the technology allows. Work is now in progress to sign contracts on oil deliveries in January.
