Belarus oil-refineries experience shortage of "black gold" :: Charter'97 :: News

Belarus oil enterprises have processed over the last 11 days around 427 thousand tons of petroleum, which is 87% of the last year statistics, report the official sources ("Naftan" - 210 thousand tons (81%), "Mozyr" - 217 thousand tons (94%)).

The major reason for the decrease in the amount of refined raw petroleum was the reduction in the amount of Russian oil. For instance, by February 12, 2001 Belarus received 409 thousand tons or 85% of the same period last year ("Naftan" got 213 thousand tons (84%), "Mozyr" - 194 thousand (85%)).

Independent experts believe that the reduction in Russian oil exports into Belarus mostly happened due to the introduction of the export customs duty on oil products in Belarus, rather than because of the lack of financial resources in "Belneftehim" concern. The introduction of a new tariff caused Russian commercial structures to cut down their export of raw petroleum into Belarus. In March the country`s plants will face problems with oil, as far as Russian commercial structures will no longer benefit from refining their oil in Belarus.