Russian regulator sees no reason to ban gasoline exports by producers

MOSCOW. March 6 (Interfax) - The ban on oil product exports by non-producers that the Russian government recently extended to the end of August is currently sufficient to control the situation on the domestic market and there is no reason to extend this export ban to gasoline producers right now, Federal Antimonopoly Service (FAS) head Maxim Shaskolsky said.

"This is, as we always say, foremost, the Energy Ministry having to understand the volumes, agreeing this with the Finance Ministry and then a consolidated decision will be made. At this point we don't see reasons for such a measure to be required. It is always in the arsenal of these ministries," Shaskolsky told reporters on Wednesday.

"A ban on exports by intermediaries is now in effect, this measure is sufficient for now," he added.

The government recently extended a ban on exports of gasoline by intermediaries until August 31. The ban does not apply to exports by companies that actually produce oil products. "The decision was made to maintain a stable situation on the domestic fuel market, support the economics of oil refining and combat grey exports of automobile gasoline," the government said at the time.

The situation on the domestic fuel market was discussed at the end of February at a meeting held by Deputy Prime Minister Alexander Novak, after which a number of orders were issued to government agencies. Among other things, the Agriculture Ministry, Energy Ministry and FAS were told to analyse oil product prices for farmers.

Shaskolsky said Wednesday that the regulator is not currently receiving any complaints about the price of fuel for farmers. "This work is done constantly, when the corresponding period begins. We recommend to always buy in time, when there is a favourable price situation, our colleagues take advantage of this. We have not received violations and complaints," he said.

Another order issued after the meeting with Novak was to present proposals for prioritizing railway shipments of oil products to the domestic market by raising these products to the third priority group for railway shipments from the current sixth.

Shaskolsky said the current order of priority was approved after lengthy negotiations and went into effect recently, but the rules of non-discriminatory access to railway infrastructure make it possible to make adjustments if necessary.

"There are now rules of non-discriminatory access. We prepared for a long time, they were agreed with all market participants, went into effect as of January 1. There is a certain categorization there. If decisions are made by leadership that it is necessary to change, then changes will be made," Shaskolsky said.