Refueling messages: large gas station chains ease restrictions on fuel sales
Russian gas station networks have begun to lift or ease restrictions on the sale of gasoline, Izvestia found out. For example, in Moscow and a number of regions, individual companies, such as Lukoil and Teboil, have already waived the limits. And in other regions, many networks have increased the volume of fuel supply from 30 to 50 liters. As previously stated by Deputy Prime Minister Alexander Novak, the situation has improved due to the withdrawal of part of the refinery from repairs. Experts believe that the limits can be fully lifted only after the end of the high—demand season - no earlier than October. What restrictions still exist and in which regions are described in the Izvestia article.
Which companies are reducing gas station restrictions
The fact that gas stations began to relax restrictions on the sale of gasoline was told to Izvestia on the hotlines in the companies. At some gas stations, the limits have already been lifted, while at others the maximum volume of fuel supply has been increased, but in some regions they still remain. In Moscow, St. Petersburg and the Leningrad Region, restrictions have already been lifted at Lukoil gas stations. You can also freely buy fuel in the capital at Teboil gas stations.
Many Gazprom Neft Moscow gas stations still have a limit of 30 liters of gasoline and diesel, according to the Russiabase gas station locator. At the same time, the company's hotline explained that at some stations the restriction applies only to payments via the mobile application. When paying at the checkout, the car can be refueled to a full tank, but each gas station decides on the issue of vacation limits, depending on the situation. The network of Neftmagistral gas stations still has a 50-liter limit for the purchase of AI-100, including in cans. Gasoline of other brands and diesel are freely available.
In other regions, the limits are gradually being relaxed, but they have not completely disappeared yet. Thus, Rosneft increased the volume of gasoline supply from 30 to 50 liters per car. A similar measure is in effect at Bashneft gas stations. The Lukoil hotline reported that some regions still have limits, as well as restrictions on the system of even and odd days. They depend on the decisions of the regional authorities and the availability of fuel at a particular gas station.
Teboil clarified that limits outside the Moscow region are also maintained and set separately for each gas station. The Tatneft hotline said that gasoline is released no more than 30 liters, diesel — up to 60 liters in cities and up to 200 liters on highways. At the same time, regional authorities may introduce additional measures.
Gazprom's gas stations have completely lifted limits in the Astrakhan, Volgograd and Rostov regions, Krasnodar and Stavropol Territories, as well as on the federal highway M-4 Don, the hotline told Izvestia. However, restrictions remain in the Vladimir, Voronezh, Kaluga, Lipetsk, Nizhny Novgorod, Orel and Tula regions. The limit for AI-92 and AI-95 gasoline is from 30 to 50 liters, for diesel — from 60 to 100 liters.
At the same time, most large networks still prohibit the release of fuel into cans. This was reported in Lukoil, Tatneft, Rosneft and Gazprom. The exceptions are many Gazprom Neft gas stations.
Izvestia sent inquiries to oil companies and large gas station chains.
Earlier, the RBC newspaper wrote, citing sources, that Deputy Prime Minister Alexander Novak at a meeting on July 13 recommended that the Ministry of Energy and oil companies work out the issue of lifting restrictions on gas stations for the supply of less than 50 liters of gasoline in one hand. A representative of the Deputy Prime Minister's office clarified to Izvestia that no official instructions had been given to departments and companies in this regard. The editorial board also sent a request to the press service of the Ministry of Energy. On July 24, they announced that the ministry, together with regional entities and oil companies, is implementing measures within the framework of regular regional headquarters to provide the domestic market with the necessary volumes of petroleum products based on the needs of each region. The implementation of the developed decisions and recommendations is the responsibility of the regional authorities, the Ministry of Energy noted.
The ministry emphasized the stabilization of the fuel supply situation in a number of regions — an increase in the number of gas stations operating and a reduction in queues. Positive dynamics, according to the Ministry of Energy, are demonstrated by the Trans-Baikal Territory, Kaliningrad and Irkutsk regions, Kuban and Tatarstan. The fuel market in the Arkhangelsk and Saratov regions is normalizing.
"This became possible thanks to measures taken by the government, including a ban on the export of petroleum products, and decisions aimed at ensuring fuel imports and maximum utilization of refining capacities," the ministry quoted Energy Minister Sergei Tsivilev as saying.
Earlier, Izvestia reported a marked improvement in the fuel availability and queues at gas stations in 13 regions of Russia. The stabilization of the situation was confirmed by the editorial staff at the Ministry of Energy.
When can the gas station restrictions be completely lifted?
Dmitry Gusev, Deputy Chairman of the Supervisory Board of the Reliable Partner Association, believes that an increase in imports of petroleum products to Russia, as well as the restoration of domestic production, contributed to an improvement in the situation with gasoline supply to the regions.
In his opinion, it is impractical to completely cancel the limits on fuel sales at gas stations before the end of the high-demand season, that is, before October 1. The current restrictions do not create serious inconveniences for motorists, as they allow them to ensure the daily use of transport. If necessary, the driver can refuel several times a day or use different gas stations, the expert noted.
Igor Yushkov, a leading analyst at the National Energy Security Fund, also believes that the situation will remain tense until the fall, including due to active demand, so we should not expect a complete lifting of limits in the near future. The authorities' recommendations to ease restrictions on sales are designed to calm the market and reduce excessive demand, he added.
The situation with the provision of gas stations has really improved, including due to the restructuring of logistics: fuel from those refineries that continue to produce gasoline, apparently, has become more actively supplied to large cities. The adaptation of consumers to the current situation also has an effect. This has made it possible to reduce tensions somewhat, especially in large cities where there is no physical shortage of fuel now, said Sergey Tereshkin, CEO of the independent petroleum products marketplace Open Oil Market.
According to the expert, the most favorable prospects for the complete abolition of limits are in the diesel fuel segment. Export restrictions can saturate the domestic diesel market much faster than the gasoline market, where historically the stock of production capacity has been lower. Therefore, gas station owners are likely to gradually begin to abandon any restrictions on the sale of diesel.
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