Russia to supply over 5m tonnes of oil to Belarus in Q1 2013

MINSK, 29 December (BelTA) – In Q1 2013, Russia will pipe 5.025 million tonnes of oil to Belarus, which is above the scheduled 4.625 million tonnes, BelTA learnt from AK Transneft.

According to the company, the oil delivery schedule for Q1 2013 was adjusted in the wake of the negotiations at the Energy Ministry of Russia. "The sides agreed on the oil supplies only for the first quarter of 2013. Negotiations on the supply in 2013 are still underway,” noted Transneft.

Belarus and Russia have not yet signed the joint energy balance for 2013. Negotiations are in progress. Earlier it was reported that the Energy Ministry of Russia stipulates the delivery of 18.5 million tonnes of oil to Belarus in 2013, (quarterly average is 4.625 million tonnes). The Russian side expects Belarus to return 2 million tonnes of oil products made form Russian crude oil. The Belarusian side previously expressed willingness to import 23 million tonnes of oil from Russia.