Alyaksandr Dzyamidau, Director General of Naftan, has stated that Minsk had sent a request to Transneft to increase pumping through the Surgut-Polatsk pipeline, RIA Novosti news agency reported. According to him, there are technical possibilities for this, and the pipeline itself now works only at 10% of its capacity.
Mr Dzyamidau explained this request by the presence of low-quality oil recorded on the southern section of the Druzhba pipeline. At the same time, Naftan (unlike the Mozyr Oil Refinery) can receive oil from both sites.
In turn, Aleh Barysenka, General Director of Gomeltransneft Druzhba, noted that the content of chlorides in oil from Russia exceeded the norm by 17 times, but the quality was gradually improving.
At the same time, the Deputy Chairman of the Belneftekhim concern Uladzimir Sizau has spoken of temporary restrictions on the export of petroleum products from Belarus to the border. According to him, “the Belarusian side requested an official meeting with representatives of Transneft”.
Deputy Prime Minister of Belarus Ihar Lyashenka said that, according to the Russian side, the situation with oil quality should improve soon. According to him, on April 23, representatives of the Belarusian refineries will meet with Transneft representatives to discuss the situation.
The Russian company Transneft has confirmed the problems with the quality of oil flowing to Belarus through Druzhba. The company promised that the problem will be fixed by the next week.
