Russia may cut oil exports by 380,000 tns in Jan–Mar 2017

MOSCOW, Dec 20 (PRIME) – Russia’s January–March oil export schedule includes supplies of 50.98 million tonnes to non-CIS countries, which is 380,000 tonnes less than 51.375 million tonnes the country is to export in October–December 2016, Igor Dyomin, aide to the president of oil pipeline monopoly Transneft, told reporters on Tuesday.

“Russia is to export 51.375 million tonnes to non-CIS countries in the fourth quarter of 2016. In the first quarter, the exports are expected at 50.98 million tonnes,” he said, adding that Kazakhstan’s transit through Russia will increase to 4.825 million tonnes from 4.46 million tonnes in the quarter, while the Azeri transit will fall to 325,000 tonnes from 400,000 tonnes.

“We have planned a fall of Russia’s exports to non-CIS states of 380,000 tonnes, but the fall will stand at 325,000 tonnes taking transit into account. But our plans include significant exports to Belarus to 4.5 million tonnes in the first quarter of next year from 3 million tonnes in the fourth quarter of this year,” he said.

The schedule is usually based on surplus pipeline system’s capacity. “Companies have the right for a certain amount, but this does not mean that they will use it during the quarter of operation,” he said.

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