Amid concerns over fuel shortages exacerbated by recent Ukrainian drone attacks and outages, Russia has reportedly reached out to Kazakhstan for assistance, seeking a supply of 100,000 tons of gasoline, Reuters reported.
A purported deal regarding the utilization of reserves for Russia's fuel needs has been reached, according to sources. However, Shyngys Ilyasov, an advisor to Kazakhstan's energy minister, stated that the energy ministry has not yet received such a formal request from its Russian counterpart. Despite repeated attempts to reach out for comment, the Russian energy ministry remained unresponsive.
Neighboring Belarus has already agreed to aid Russia in its gasoline supply. Drone attacks have knocked out approximately 14% of Russia's primary oil refining capacity as of the end of March. Thus far, Russian authorities have asserted that domestic fuel markets remain stable, with stockpiles deemed sufficient.
Typically a net exporter of fuel, Russia's oil companies have been compelled to resort to imports due to refinery disruptions. In response to the situation, Moscow purportedly requested Kazakhstan to establish an emergency reserve of 100,000 metric tons of gasoline ready for supply.
A gasoline export ban was imposed by Moscow for six months from March 1 to avert acute fuel shortages, though exemptions were made for the Moscow-led Eurasian Economic Union, which includes Kazakhstan, as well as certain countries such as Mongolia, with which Russia has bilateral agreements on fuel supplies. Traders, however, speculate that the ban could be expanded if the situation within Russia deteriorates.
Last week, the Orsk oil refinery in the Urals ceased production due to extensive flooding, which also impacted regions in Kazakhstan. In response, Kazakhstan, the largest landlocked country globally, has enforced restrictions on fuel exports until the year's end, except for humanitarian purposes.
As of April 5, Kazakhstan's reserves of Ai-92 gasoline totaled 307,700 tons, while Ai-95 gasoline stockpiles stood at 58,000 tons. Diesel reserves were reported at 435,300 tons, with jet fuel inventories totaling 101,000 tons.
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