In the face of a deepening fuel crisis caused by regular attacks of Ukrainian drones on Russian refineries, gas stations in many regions of the country began to introduce strict sales restrictions. In practice, Russian customers can refuel no more than 10-20 liters of gasoline “on the head”. In some places, stations only offer diesel.
As reported by the “Izwestia” newspaper, such limits are to prevent the complete suspension of smaller, independent fuel sales points.
This is to help network owners survive the difficult period of fuel deficiency and not force them to temporarily close the station, as it has already happened with some smaller points
– explained Paweł Bażyn, president of the Independent Fuel Association (NTS). He noted that Fuel sales restrictions are introduced primarily in central Russia, in the Volga region, in the south of the country and in the Far East.
Representatives of the fuel industry from the Moscow, Leningrad, Ryazan and Niżnonowogrodzki region confirmed that there are “head” sales limits of sales. Restrictions were introduced not only by independent companies, but also companies integrated vertically [kontrolujące nie tylko produkcję, ale również zasoby potrzebne do jej realizacji].
For example – the second largest Russian Naftowe Łukoil company at some stations in Moscow banned the sale of gasoline to canisters. In addition, the concern stopped operating fuel cards at some of the station in Nizhny Nowogród, which caused a wave of dissatisfaction among drivers. According to NTS data, in mid -September gasoline deficiencies were recorded in 21 regions – From Czukotka and Sakhalin to the Ryazan and Samarski Districts.
The situation with gasoline is very bad and is still getting worse
– REUTER agency said anonymously in the industry.
Lukoil gas station price board (illustrative photo)Yuri Kochetkov / PAP
Ban on exports and manual rail control
In August, the armed forces of Ukraine (SZE) began to regularly attack Russian refineries with drones. As a result At least five plants partially or completely stopped the work, which caused their processing powers to fall by 17 %, i.e. about 1 million 100,000. barrels a day.
The slowdown resulted in the increase in gasoline prices. From the beginning of the year, they soared up to 40-50 percent. According to the data of the International Surlish Economy and Survocch Stock Exchange in St. Petersburg, on September 23, the price of AI-92 gasoline broke the historic record, reaching 73 thousand. 600 rubles per ton (almost PLN 3,200). A-95 gasoline was sold at a price of 71 thousand. 100 rubles per ton (approx. 3000 PLN).
Due to the situation, the Russian government ordered oil companies to launch reserve powers and correct the schedule of planned refinery repairs. He also began to manually regulate fuel transport by rail.
In addition, according to the Russian TASS Information Agency, to stabilize the situation, the appropriate ministries are considering extending the ban on gas exports from Russia and the introduction of a ban on diesel oil exports for all market participants by the end of the year. At a given moment, the prohibition covers only gasoline and is valid until September 30.
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