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Belarus eager to start importing oil via Odessa-Brody pipeline in March

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MINSK, 25 February (BelTA) – Belarus intends to start pumping oil to oil refineries via the Odessa-Brody oil pipeline in March, BelTA learned from Deputy Chairman of the Belarusian state petrochemical concern Belneftekhim Vladimir Sizov.

The official said: “Work is in progress on alternative oil purchases via the southern route, from Ukrainian territory. Deliveries along the Odessa-Brody [pipeline] will begin soon, in March. The volume will be several tankers.”

In his words, the pipeline infrastructure (the Odessa-Brody oil pipeline) will be used as the most economic, fast, and reliable means of transportation.

Vladimir Sizov did not specify what country may supply oil. “We are working to acquire resources in the Black Sea region. There is an opportunity for buying crude from an Azerbaijani company or from a Russian one,” he added.

“We calculate the volume [of oil to be delivered via the Odessa-Brody pipeline] depending on how much oil the oil refineries have left and the fact of oil deliveries by rail and by pipeline from Russia,” the Belneftekhim deputy head explained.

BelTA reported earlier that a ship bearing 86,000 tonnes of Norwegian oil for Belarus reached the Klaipeda port in January. Oil of the Johan Sverdrup variety was intended for OAO Naftan and was delivered to Belarus by rail.

On 20 February Belneftekhim said Belarus had bought 160,000 tonnes of Russian oil through traders without paying a premium and with transshipment in Lithuania. Two tankers with oil are expected to reach the Klaipeda port in March.

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