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Belarus ready to resume oil transit after confirmations from Ukraine, Poland

MINSK, 20 May (BelTA) – Belarus is ready to resume the transit of Russian oil via the Druzhba pipeline towards Ukraine and Poland after receiving the relevant confirmations from the countries, BelTA learned from representatives of the Belarusian state petrochemical concern Belneftekhim.

The source said: “The Belarusian side is ready to resume oil transit. We look forward to [readiness] confirmations from the Ukrainian side and the Polish one.”

BelTA reported earlier that oil transit towards Ukraine has been suspended due to the lack of spare reservoirs for draining polluted oil from the oil trunk pipeline in Ukraine. Oil transit towards Poland was suspended on 24 April for an indefinite period of time.

On 19 April Belneftekhim registered a massive decrease in the quality of the Russian oil mixture Urals flowing in transit into the main oil pipeline section operated by OAO Polotsktransneft Druzhba. The concentration of chlororganic compounds in oil exceeded standard thresholds dozens of times over. The oil pipeline system Druzhba is designed to deliver oil to Belarusian oil refineries and transport oil to Europe in transit via Belarus in two directions – via Poland and via Ukraine.

The Belneftekhim head is expected to hold negotiations in the Russian Energy Ministry in Moscow today to discuss oil problems.

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