Kazakhstan weighs potential fuel exports to Russia

Kazakhstan’s Ministry of Energy has once again stated that it has not received any requests from Russia for the supply of fuel and lubricants (F&L), while noting that it could consider such sales on commercial terms and subject to the availability of surplus resources, as priority is given to the domestic market.

Earlier, Reuters reported, citing sources, that Kazakhstan could supply gasoline to Russia.

“Regarding information about possible supplies of fuel and lubricants to the Russian Federation, the Ministry of Energy of the Republic of Kazakhstan reports the following. In the event of official requests from the government of the Russian Federation for the purchase of motor fuel, Kazakhstan is ready to consider the possibility of selling F&L on mutually beneficial commercial terms. The conclusion of international agreements and commercial contracts in the field of petroleum product supplies is possible exclusively if there is available resource capacity,” the ministry told journalists.

The ministry emphasised that its “unconditional priority remains the full and uninterrupted supply of the country’s domestic market.” “Export deliveries may be carried out only if there are no risks to meeting the needs of citizens and the economy of Kazakhstan,” it added.

Kazakhstan currently has a ban in place on the export of gasoline and diesel fuel, except for fuel contained in vehicle tanks. The measure is regularly extended to ensure domestic market stability and combat smuggling.

On June 26, following similar Reuters reports about potential fuel supplies from Kazakhstan to Russia, Energy Minister Yerlan Akkenzhenov also told journalists that no official requests had been received from Russia, but that any such request would be considered if submitted.

By Tamilla Hasanova