Republic

Belarus imports 70% more Russian oil in January-February

MINSK, 2 May (BelTA) – In January-February 2012 Belarus imported 3.5 million tonnes of crude oil from Russia, 70% up on January-February 2011, representatives of the National Statistics Committee of Belarus told BelTA. The Russian oil price averaged $426 per tonne, 9.1% down from January-February 2011. In January-February Belarus’ oil import from non-CIS states amounted to 99,400 tonnes, 21.9% as against January-February 2011. The price per tonne of raw hydrocarbons averaged $917, 18.1% up from January-February 2011. All in all, in January-February 2012 Belarus imported 3.6 million tonnes of crude oil, 40% up on the same period of last year. The average price for crude oil stood at $440, 16.1% down from January-February 2011. The sharp increase in Russian oil import is attributed to the total lack of Russian oil import in January 2011 due the two countries having failed to agree pricing terms. Belarus resumed Russian oil import only at the end of January. Until then Belarusian oil refineries used Venezuelan oil and the existing stock. In 2012 Belarus received favorable terms of Russian oil import thanks to the Single Economic Space and the documents timely signed to determine the oil pricing formula for four years. In 2012 Belarus is expected to get 21.5 million tonnes of Russian oil via pipelines, 3.5 million up on 2011. Apart from Russian oil Belarus also imports Azeri Light oil using swap contracts between Belarusian Oil Company, Venezuela and Azerbaijan. In January-February 2012 Belarus imported 1,861,400 tonnes of oil products, 430% up on January-February 2011. The price averaged $504 per tonne, 5.6% up. Import from the CIS states went up 440$ to 1,858,300 tonnes, with non-CIS import down by41.4% to 3,100 tonnes. In January-February 2012 Belarus imported 4.4 billion cubic meters of natural gas, 1.8% up from the same period of last year. The price averaged $168 per 1,000 cubic meters, 26.5% down. In 2012 Belarus plans to buy 22.5 billion cubic meters of natural gas from OAO Gazprom. In January-February 2012 Belarus imported 819.1 million kWh of electricity from the CIS states, 60% up. The price averaged $65 per 1,000 kWh, 10.1% up from January-February 2011. This year Belarus plans to import up to 3.5 billion kWh of electricity from Ukraine as part of a contract with OOO Vostokenergo, with 1.5 billion kWh as guaranteed delivery. Apart from that, Belarus traditionally buys electricity from Russia. A contract with Russian OAO Inter RAOUES provides for importing up to 5 billion kWh in 2012, with 3 billion kWh as guaranteed delivery.

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