UPDATE: Watchdog asks Gazprom firms to explain higher gasoline exports

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MOSCOW, May 30 (PRIME) -- Russia’s Federal Antimonopoly Service has requested three companies of gas giant Gazprom group to explain growth of gasoline exports amid increased prices in the country, the service said on Wednesday.

“Russia’s Federal Antimonopoly Service has requested Gazprom Neftekhim Salavat, Gazprom and Gazprom Neft to submit by Sunday a feasibility study for increased shipments of straight-run gasolines for exports while simultaneously withdrawing them from their technological production on the back of unmet demand for oil products on the domestic market,” the statement said.

According to the watchdog, the companies reduced sales of oil products, which could have led to growth of prices for the Ai-92 and Ai-95 gasoline and diesel fuel.

“In order to prevent violations of the antimonopoly legislation and meet the needs of final consumers with motor fuel, the Federal Antimonopoly Service believes the companies should take measures to increase production and supplies of automobile gasolines and diesel fuel to the domestic market.”

The antimonopoly service also pointed TAIF-NK, ForteInvest, Surgutneftegas, Tatneft, and Antipinsky oil refinery about the necessity of fulfilling their obligations on oil product supplies to the domestic market.

On Tuesday, the watchdog issued a warning to oil major Rosneft over reduced volumes of oil product sales, which could have led to higher prices of the Ai-92 gasoline and diesel fuel.

Rosneft said on Wednesday it lowered gasoline production and supplies to the domestic market due to planned repairs at oil refineries, but still exceeds the established norms.

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