Russia Close to Extending Gasoline Export Ban Waiver

Russia is close to ruling on an extended permit for gasoline exports into July supported by the restart of a Norsi refinery unit, according to Reuters sources.

• Russia temporarily lifted the ban on gasoline exports for fuel producers from May 20 until June 30 however restrictions currently remain in place from July 1-Aug. 31
• The ban on gasoline exports to countries outside of the Eurasian Economic Union originally began March 1 and is due to last until Aug. 31
• The ban was initially introduced to pre-empt fuel shortages and limit price rises but earlier this month Deputy Prime Minister Alexander Novak said there were no fuel shortages on the Russian domestic fuel market.
• Refineries have returned from heavy outages earlier this year amid Ukrainian drone attacks on energy infrastructure and technical maintenance.
• The Russian government is also considering restricting exports of gasoline and diesel for re-sellers which are currently paying a high export duty, a source said.