Russia completely stops disclosing data on oil product production

MOSCOW. Aug 29 (Interfax) - Russia's Federal Statistics Service (Rosstat) has completely stopped publishing data on production of oil products in the country, the latest report on Russian industrial production showed.

The agency is no longer reporting information on monthly production of diesel fuel, fuel oil, liquefied propane and butane, and coke and semi-coke produced from hard coal. The report also does not provide data on stable gas condensate production.

Rosstat said in the report that "information on production of oil products is not being published based on a decision of the Russian government."

However, Rosstat will continue to publish monthly changes in production of coke and oil products. Output of such products in July rose 7.2% from the previous month but fell 2.7% year-on-year, it said. In the first seven months of 2024, production of coke and oil products dropped 3.2% year-on-year.

Rosstat stopped publishing statistical data on production of automobile gasoline in Russia at the end of May. According to the decision of the Energy Ministry, in light of the current geopolitical situation "disclosure of such information could become an occasion for manipulation of the market by its unethical participants."

"Statistical data on production of motor fuels published by Rosstat can often be used for unfounded pressure on the market and creation of artificial frenzy. This can have a negative impact on the domestic market," the ministry said, commenting on the ban on publishing all data on oil product production.

The ministry said it plans to report on the situation on the oil product market directly.