Russian oil companies ask for delay in implementation of ban

Russian oil companies Rosneft, Gazprom Neft, Lukoil, and Bashneft confirmed that a request addressed to Acting Transport Minister Igor Levitin was being drafted, asking for a postponement on a ban on shipping crude by rail tankers until August 1. Following a series of major railroad accidents involving tanker cars carrying crude oil, the Federal Transport Oversight Service (Rostransnadzor) in early May banned the shipment of oil in tank cars built to transport light oil products. The ban was to take effect on April 1 and would affect more than 30% of the tankers that are used to transport crude oil and heavy petroleum products. OJSC Khabarovsk Oil Refinery, a subsidiary of Alliance Oil Company, said it could completely stop production within three days because it would be impossible to bring in feedstock and export fuel oil by railroad. Once that happens, there would be no supply of motor fuels to the Far Eastern region. Lukoil said it was not experiencing any problems but the company confirmed it was looking for alternative rolling stock. Gazprom Neft also said it was not having any problems while Bashneft said the problem affected the whole industry and that oil producers were discussing the matter. (May 17, 2012)