Russia Adjusts Fuel Regulations: Government Tightens Control and Redirects Volumes to Domestic Market
The rules for fuel circulation in Russia are changing: fuel will no longer be marked with a single EAEU product mark. Only oil refineries and oil depots with a valid certificate for raw material processing will be allowed to produce and store it. The decision aims to increase the reliability of fuel supply and strengthen control over the supply chain.
Ministry of Energy: Additional Volumes to Be Directed to Domestic Market
The Ministry of Energy stated that the updated procedure will allow additional fuel volumes to be directed to the domestic market and meet current demand more quickly. The document was adopted as part of the implementation of a presidential decree on increasing the sustainability of the fuel sector.
Kremlin: Measures Formed by Government, Discussions Ongoing
The Kremlin emphasized that decisions on additional measures to support the fuel market are made by the government. Presidential press secretary Dmitry Peskov did not confirm discussions on a possible permission for Euro-2 fuel, noting that all issues are being considered by a working group led by Deputy Prime Minister Alexander Novak.
According to Peskov, Novak deals with the fuel market situation daily, and the set of measures is regularly discussed both at meetings with the president and in the government.
What Has Already Been Done to Stabilize the Market
In recent weeks, authorities have taken a number of operational decisions:
- major refineries are operating at maximum capacity;
- repair timelines have been shortened;
- medium and small plants have been brought into production;
- restrictions on gasoline exports have been expanded;
- a ban on aviation kerosene exports is in effect until the end of November.
These measures are aimed at preventing shortages and ensuring uninterrupted supplies to the regions.
Novak Instructs to Increase Supplies: Problems Persist in Some Regions
Russian media report that Alexander Novak instructed oil companies to increase fuel supplies to accelerate meeting demand on the domestic market. The instruction followed a meeting on the situation in the Irkutsk region and Transbaikalia, where difficulties with supplying gas stations persist.
Regional heads reported on current reserves and measures being taken. The government believes that additional supplies should help stabilize the situation more quickly.
Regional Restrictions: Limits, Bans on Canisters, and Internal Company Rules
Amid disruptions, temporary restrictions on fuel sales have been introduced in more than 30 regions. For example:
- in Bashkortostan, the sale of gasoline in canisters was temporarily banned, and a limit of up to 30 liters per vehicle was set;
- in the Saratov region, a similar order was extended until July 15;
- in a number of Volga Federal District regions, similar measures are in effect.
In Tatarstan, authorities have not adopted new decisions, but internal company rules continue to apply at Tatneft gas stations. According to the operator's hotline, one can purchase from 20 to 30 liters of AI-92 and AI-95 gasoline at a time, most often no more than 30 liters. For fuel card holders, restrictions do not apply.