Hype relief: queues at gas stations have noticeably decreased in more than ten regions

In 13 regions of Russia, the situation with fuel availability at gas stations and queues at gas stations has significantly improved. Izvestia analyzed data on the availability of gasoline on the Russiabase gas station locator site and fuel cards. The authorities in some regions are lifting restrictions on the issue of gasoline, allowing vacations in cans, introducing sales on even and odd numbers, and so on. The stabilization of the situation was confirmed by the Ministry of Energy. What measures become the most effective and help to reduce the hype is in the Izvestia article.

How regions regulate fuel demand at gas stations

According to data analyzed by Izvestia on the availability of gasoline on the Russiabase gas station locator site and fuel cards, queues at gas stations have noticeably decreased in Kaliningrad, Orel, Bryansk, Irkutsk, Kaluga, Smolensk, Novgorod, Kurgan regions, as well as in Primorsky Krai, Yamalo-Nenets Autonomous District, Kalmykia, Buryatia and the Komi Republic.

Photo: IZVESTIA/Sergey Lantyukhov

The situation has also improved in Moscow, the Moscow region, St. Petersburg and the Leningrad Region, although queues at individual gas stations still occur during rush hours.

According to the locator site, the most difficult situation persists in some regions of Central Russia, the Volga region and the south of the country. These include the Tambov, Astrakhan, Kirov, Penza, Voronezh, Rostov, Volgograd, Orenburg and Yaroslavl regions, Perm Krai, Chuvashia, Mordovia, Udmurtia and Crimea.

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In order to reduce excessive demand and prevent shortages, a number of government entities, together with fuel companies, have introduced restrictions on fuel supply. The most common measure is the limit on the amount of refueling for a passenger car, which, depending on the region and the specific gas station, ranges from 25-30 to 50 liters of gasoline. Such restrictions apply, in particular, in Kaliningrad, Orel, Smolensk and Kurgan regions, Yamalo-Nenets Autonomous District, Kalmykia, Buryatia and Komi. For diesel engines, the volume limits are usually higher, up to 100-200 liters.

Some regions have additional restrictions. So, in the Orel region, since the beginning of July, a refueling schedule has been introduced according to the first digit of the state registration number of the car. At the same time, a more free regime remains on the federal highways and five gas stations on duty in Orel. According to local authorities, this made it possible to eliminate queues that reached 50-60 cars at the end of June.

Photo: RIA Novosti/Grigory Sysoev

Special limits are set for freight transport in Primorsky Krai: in cities, heavy trucks can fill up to 100 liters, and on highways — up to 200 liters. In the Bryansk region, on the contrary, previously existing restrictions on the release of fuel into cans were relaxed, allowing the sale of 10 to 20 liters, depending on the territory.

At the same time, the situation is gradually stabilizing. In the Kaliningrad region, according to Governor Alexei Besprozvannykh, queues at gas stations have significantly decreased due to additional fuel supplies, and the Baltneft network has reopened some gas stations for individuals. In the Irkutsk region, independent operators have expanded fuel sales to the public since July 10 and reopened at least 16 gas stations, although limits remain in place.

The authorities of several regions say that the fuel supply situation remains under control. So, in the Orel and Novgorod regions, queues at gas stations have practically disappeared, the administrations of the governors told Izvestia. The press service of the governor of the Yamalo-Nenets Autonomous District also told the editorial board that there is no shortage, and stocks correspond to the level of the same period last year. They explained that the restrictions imposed by companies at their gas stations are aimed at preventing excessive demand and speculation, as well as ensuring an even supply of gasoline to residents and businesses.

Photo: IZVESTIA/Alexey Maishev

"There are problems with the lack of fuel in some remote villages of Nadymsky, Tazovsky and Purovsky districts — the government of Yamal is negotiating with fuel companies to resolve the situation," the press service added.

In the Kaluga Region, gasoline supplies have increased by 25% over the past week to stabilize the situation. However, some gas stations are still missing some types of fuel.

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When can the situation stabilize

As Russian Deputy Prime Minister Alexander Novak stated last week, there is a shortage in the Russian fuel market, as refineries have been partially put into repair due to "arrivals" on them. The authorities intend to provide additional fuel supplies to the regions. Izvestia sent inquiries to the office of the Deputy Prime Minister.

According to the editorial office of the Ministry of Energy, the situation with the provision of motor fuel is currently stabilizing in some regions.

— Together with the authorities of the constituent entities of the Russian Federation and oil companies, active work is underway to organize additional fuel supplies, taking into account the needs of the regions. In order to ensure the priority provision of the domestic market, a complete ban on the export of motor gasoline and diesel from the Russian Federation remains in effect," the ministry noted.

Photo: IZVESTIA/Sergey Lantyukhov

The situation in the country as a whole remains difficult, but manageable, said Alexey Belogoryev, Director of Research and Development at the Institute of Energy and Finance. According to him, according to various expert estimates, up to 30-35% of the installed gasoline production capacity is currently idle. This can lead to local shortages in certain regions, and also partially affects the diesel fuel market. At the same time, the situation differs depending on the subject and the operation of specific refineries. It is difficult to say when the situation will fully stabilize, the expert added.

Igor Yushkov, a leading analyst at the National Energy Security Fund, noted that the situation with queues at gas stations has improved due to a decrease in excessive demand. According to him, people already know which gas stations have fuel and which ones don't. They have adapted to the fact that you can always arrive at the gas station and, even after standing for 20-30 minutes or an hour, still refuel, he explained.

Igor Yushkov believes that indirect data show the high effectiveness of the strategies of those regions that have introduced car refueling using the even and odd first digit of license plates.