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Russia intends to lift restrictions on oil product exports in the future — Deputy PM

Alexander Novak noted that gasoline production in Russia exceeds the level of demand in the country by approximately 10%, so some of it needs to be exported

MOSCOW, December 25. /TASS/. The Russian government intends to lift a number of non-market mechanisms related to the fuel market, including restrictions on fuel exports to foreign markets, Deputy Prime Minister Alexander Novak said this in an interview with the Rossiya-24 TV channel.

"I am sure that we will use such tools as bans or release [of oil products] for export less often. After all, this is a pretty non-market tool. If we have sufficient gasoline production, we will use market tools," Novak said.

The Deputy Prime Minister noted that gasoline production in Russia exceeds the level of demand in the country by approximately 10%, so some of it needs to be exported. However, due to the fact that fuel prices in Russia are lower than on the international market, the government has to take measures to limit the domestic market in order to saturate it.

"In order not to overstock our oil refineries and warehouses, during certain periods, as oil products accumulate, we release them (gasoline volumes) for export so that the refineries continue to produce, process oil and produce the full range of necessary oil products," he noted.

Novak added that in the future, the situation should stabilize due to the upgrade of oil refineries, which will increase gasoline production and there will be more supply on the market.

Earlier, the Russian government extended the temporary restriction on gasoline exports until January 31, 2025. Previously, it was in effect until the end of this year. It applies to deliveries made only by direct producers of oil products.

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