Russia authorizes refineries to lower gasoline environmental requirements to stave off fuel shortages
The Russian government has authorized some oil refineries to produce gasoline and diesel fuel at lower environmental specifications for the domestic market, as the country grapples with fuel supply disruptions, the Kommersant newspaper reported on Monday.
Supply disruptions in Russia have been reported by the media and on social media in around a dozen regions, according to data compiled by media. Besides Russian-held Crimea, only two regions in Siberia have officially confirmed the disruptions.
Deputy Prime Minister Alexander Novak called last week for fuel market forecasts to guard against difficulties in fuel distribution and meeting domestic demand.
Ukraine has for months targeted Russian refineries, pipelines and fuel depots in an effort to curb Moscow's ability to finance the war on its neighbor, now in its fifth year.
Kommersant reported on Monday, citing a source, that the government in autumn relaxed rules for certain refineries allowing them to sell gasoline and diesel fuel on the domestic market that deviates from approved regulations on sulfur content and other indicators.
The measure was in effect until May 1 of this year, but was later extended, Kommersant's source said.
Separately, authorities in the Udmurtia region east of Moscow said on Monday they had introduced a temporary limit on supplies of AI-92 and AI-95 gasoline at petrol stations operated by oil producer Tatneft beginning on June 12.
"The restrictions apply to passenger cars and are due to technical issues and logistical problems," regional authorities said in a statement, adding that the problem is expected to be resolved by next week.
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