The ban on gasoline exports will not be lifted quickly – Kommersant

Russian Energy Minister Nikolai Shulginov warned that one should not expect a quick lifting of the ban on gasoline exports. The ban will remain in effect until the market situation stabilizes, TASS reports.

Mr. Shulginov noted that the Ministry of Energy, together with other departments, is monitoring the situation on the market and is ready to take additional measures. “I will say one thing – expectations of a quick lifting of the fuel export ban are futile – the measure will last as long as necessary to stabilize fuel supply and prices,” the minister said.

Nikolai Shulginov explained that the Ministry of Energy is looking for a balance between the interests of consumers and suppliers. The main task before the department is to provide fuel to the domestic market. “But in this issue, the balance of interests of consumers is also important: both wholesale and retail, and the fuel producers themselves,” said Mr. Shulginov.

According to the minister, wholesale fuel prices have been growing over the past two months due to currency fluctuations, a decrease in discounts on sales of the Russian Urals brand, and rising world prices for oil and petroleum products. Nikolay Shulginov noted that the change in the cost of fuel on the domestic market was caused by an increase in the export alternative to petroleum products.

Minienergos expect market stabilization and price reductions in the small wholesale and retail segments. “Oil companies have been given appropriate recommendations,” said Mr. Shulginov.

On September 27, at a meeting with government members, Russian President Vladimir Putin offered regulate the fuel market by analogy with the one that currently operates on the fertilizer market: allowing exports only after filling the domestic market. The President noted that despite the decline in wholesale prices, the cost of gasoline at retail is rising. At the meeting, Deputy Prime Minister Alexander Novak offered additional measures – increase the duty on petroleum products for resellers (those who do not produce fuel) from 20 thousand to 50 thousand rubles. or completely ban the export of petroleum products that were purchased on the market.

September 21 government bannedo export gasoline and diesel fuel, with the exception of exports to the EAEU countries according to indicative balances or protocols, under intergovernmental agreements. Prices began to decline, but after a government adjustment that allowed the export of marine fuels, gas oils and middle distillates, they began to rise again.

Read more about the fuel situation in the material “That day we fueled as best we could”.

Alexandra Goroshilova