Decision to ease Russian ban on oil product exports depends on refinery production as well as prices - ministry

MOSCOW. Oct 20 (Interfax) - The decision to ease the ban on exports of oil products from Russia also depends on the operating results of oil refineries, not just on prices for oil products, Energy Minister Nikolai Shulginov told reporters.

"We're looking, continuing to monitor the situation. Everything depends on whether this ban will cause any changes at oil refineries themselves, then we'll make a decision. We're watching the situation on a daily basis. We're not only monitoring indicators for oil product prices, but also production indicators at oil refineries themselves," Shulginov said.

He recalled that Deputy Prime Minister Alexander Novak instructed oil companies to make sure they increase production of winter fuels, which are also needed for supplies to remote northern communities. "We're working within the context of this instruction. Companies are in the process of increasing reserves of winter fuel," Shulginov said.