The Russian pipeline monopoly transneft has already increased by 70,000 barrels per day (bpd) the amount of crude pumped to Kozmino on its main oil route to Asia, the pipeline Eastern Siberia-Pacific Ocean (ESPO)using chemical additives to speed up the flow of oil, said the sources, who spoke on condition of anonymity.
Transneft did not immediately respond to requests for comment.
Moscow also plans to ship an additional 80,000 bpd of so-called ESPO Blend crude to Kozmino by rail from Meget, a route previously used to supply Kozmino and domestic refineries when the ESPO pipeline was being built, the sources said.
The additional supplies will allow Kozmino to increase total loadings to some 900,000 bpd in the coming months, from an average of about 750,000 bpd so far this year, they added. In 2021, Kozmino loaded some 720,000 bpd (35.1 million tons).
Oil exports from the ESPO through Kozmino are forecast to hit an all-time high of about 880,000 bpd in July, two of the sources said.
The European Union last week announced its embargo on Russian oil, stating that it would stop importing 90% of oil and products from Russia by the end of the year.
Companies from China, which has repeatedly criticized Western sanctions on Moscow, and India have bought more Russian oil in recent months amid falling prices.
The ESPO pipeline, which connects Russia’s Siberian oil fields with Kozmino and Chinese customers by land, has a total capacity of 1.64 million bpd.
Kozmino currently has the capacity to handle loads of up to 1.1 million bpd, one of the sources said, but limited pipeline and rail capacity will not allow it to reach that level without more construction work.
Kozmino’s increased oil cargoes may force it to use more Suezmax vessels, which typically carry between 800,000 and 1 million barrels each. It normally uses Aframax vessels carrying between 500,000 and 750,000 barrels, considered more popular with buyers.
Source: Ambito
David William is a talented author who has made a name for himself in the world of writing. He is a professional author who writes on a wide range of topics, from general interest to opinion news. David is currently working as a writer at 24 hours worlds where he brings his unique perspective and in-depth research to his articles, making them both informative and engaging.
