... Forbes investigates how the government is manually attempting to manage gasoline prices. The government has prohibited gasoline exports from August 1 to 31, extending this ban to major producers, although previously it only applied to traders and smaller oil refineries (OR). "The decision was made to maintain a stable situation in the domestic fuel market during the period of high seasonal demand and agricultural fieldwork," states a government decree . Prices Increased by 36% The price of AI-92 ...

... fuel exports. According to S&P Global Platts, maritime fuel exports from Russia decreased by 480 thousand barrels per day (bpd) from February to May 2024, down to 2.13 million bpd. Another factor in the price rise is the increasing costs for Russian refineries. According to Rosstat, the balance of profits and losses for Russian oil product producers decreased by 15.4% (to 1,202.1 billion rubles) in the first four months of 2024. The share of unprofitable companies in oil product production increased from 25% in January-April 2023 to 27% in January-April 2024. The rising costs ...

... and civilian vehicles traveling to and from the south. Additionally, the sowing season took place in September and October. All this resulted in delays in deliveries to southern regions such as Krasnodar Krai and Rostov Oblast. Currently, if some refineries are under maintenance, oil products must be transported from neighboring refineries. These products are delivered by rail. Such interchangeability of refineries is only possible with the efficient operation of Russian Railways (RZD) in transporting oil products. Stabilizing ...

...." The partial import limitation on petroleum products, particularly diesel, will lead to a redirection of supplies from India to the UK and from there to continental Europe, considers Shevyrenkov. Furthermore, it is challenging to prove that the oil processed in India or Turkey originated from Russia because refineries in these countries will not disclose in their reports that the products they produce are derived from Russian oil, and it is unlikely that anyone will investigate this, adds Mitrakhovich from the Financial University. He also expresses doubt ...

... Sergei Tsivilev, the head of the ministry. Earlier, Deputy Prime Minister Alexander Novak had mentioned the possibility of lifting the export ban on AI-92 gasoline, but only on the condition that there was an oversupply of this grade at domestic oil refineries (ORs). The export ban on gasoline was introduced in Russia in March this year, primarily as a precautionary measure to curb potential fuel price increases—not just for gasoline but also for diesel fuel (DF). Most gasoline produced in Russia ...