Azernews.Az

By Kamila Aliyeva

Kazakhstan and Russia plan to sign a protocol of changes to the bilateral agreement on fuel supplies, which will allow Astana to start exporting light oil products, Kazakh Energy Minister Kanat Bozumbayev said within the framework of the oil forum.

In the course of the Russian Energy Week forum, a protocol on amending the agreement on cooperation in the fuel and energy complex will be signed on October 3 in Moscow, according to Bozumbayev.

A source in the government of Kazakhstan told Reuters that the parties should exclude clauses banning the export of light oil products from Kazakhstan, but at the same time Astana could lose preferential deliveries of oil products from Russia on an indicative balance.

“The parties must withdraw from the bilateral agreement annexes 2 and 3, which refers to exports, then, after ratification, it will be possible to export gasoline (from Kazakhstan),” said the source.

The ban on the export of light petroleum products from Kazakhstan was introduced under the current intergovernmental agreement with Russia, which in turn exports about 2 million tons of fuel annually to its partner within the Eurasian Economic Union (EAEU).

Kazakhstan, as a result of modernization of oil refineries, has increased the production of gasoline, which exceeds the needs of the republic and creates a surplus of fuel.

“The indicative balance of gas deliveries this year for gasoline will be reduced, and next year should strive for zero for light oil products,” said the source. In 2018, Russia undertook to deliver up to 1.705 million tons of petroleum products without paying duties against 2.155 million tons in 2017.

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Kamila Aliyeva is AzerNews’ staff journalist, follow her on Twitter: @Kami_Aliyeva

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