MOSCOW, June 24 (Parliament Politics Magazine) – Russia is currently in negotiations with Kazakhstan to import approximately 50,000 metric tons of AI-92 gasoline. This move aims to alleviate a growing domestic fuel shortage triggered by refinery outages and unscheduled repairs across the country.
Industry sources indicate that the supply shortfall has become increasingly urgent throughout June. Russia, typically one of the world’s largest fuel exporters, is now forced to explore imports as a direct result of production disruptions.
The domestic production decline follows a series of drone attacks targeting major infrastructure in central Russia. These incidents have forced several large refineries to halt operations, leading to a reduction in gasoline output by roughly 25% year-on-year as of late June.
In response to the tightening supply, the Russian government is weighing various market stabilization measures. Options under consideration include imposing stricter fuel export restrictions and increasing subsidies for domestic refiners.
The government has also authorized refineries to produce gasoline and diesel using lower quality specifications to boost immediate output. Furthermore, Russia is actively planning seaborne gasoline imports to address the significant disruption in its fuel supply chain.
While discussions are ongoing, the logistics of securing supply from Kazakhstan present several challenges. Kazakhstan is a relatively small fuel producer compared to Russia, making significant export volumes unlikely.
Kazakhstan’s Energy Minister Erlan Akkenzhenov stated, “Astana had not received an official request from Moscow for gasoline supplies.”
Despite this public denial, industry sources confirm that active bilateral discussions are taking place. One potential avenue for supply is Kazakhstan’s Kondensat refinery, which holds quotas for fuel exports. However, this facility processes gas condensate from the Russian TANECO refinery, which fully halted crude processing on June 12 following a drone attack.
Trade between the two nations is facilitated by their membership in the Eurasian Economic Union, which allows for duty-free hydrocarbon supplies and established fuel trade balances. Because Kazakhstan also faces its own potential jet fuel shortage in July due to rising demand and maintenance at the Atyrau refinery, analysts suggest a complex swap could occur.
Sources noted that gasoline deliveries from Kazakhstan to Russia could be possible in exchange for Russian jet fuel. The upcoming maintenance at Kazakhstan’s Atyrau refinery, scheduled from June 26 to July 20, is expected to further reduce available reserves, adding pressure to the current negotiations.
