Russian Energy Ministry expects growth in gasoline, diesel fuel production in 2025

MOSCOW. April 15 (Interfax) - The Energy Ministry anticipates an increase in gasoline and diesel production in Russia in 2025 compared to 2024, Roman Kabakov, the deputy director of the ministry's Department for the Oil and Gas Complex, said at the Eurasian Oil and Gas Forum.

"Since production statistics are classified, I can only assure you that this year we expect modest growth in both gasoline and diesel fuel production compared to last year's levels. Unfortunately, I cannot disclose exact figures. Given that expert estimates suggest domestic consumption of gasoline and diesel fuel will remain approximately at last year's levels, this means our market remains in surplus. This provides additional market protection against potential changes in demand patterns and volumes," he said.

Kabakov also noted strong fuel exchange trading results in Q1. "We observe companies selling substantial amounts of fuel on the exchange with significant year-on-year growth. Maintaining this trend could likely lead us to achieve another local maximum in petroleum product exchange sales this year," he said.

Citing expert assessments, Kabakov said that the market remains fully supplied with required fuel volumes, with stable pricing in both wholesale and retail segments.

"The unplanned refinery maintenance that occurred in Q1 due to circumstances beyond plants' control hasn't fundamentally impacted the domestic market. Nor will it affect annual production targets, which we fully expect to meet," he said.