BELARUS NEWS AND ANALYSIS

DATE:

09/01/2007

Russia's Crude Doesn't Reach Slovakia, Czechia

The supplies of Russia's crude to Slovakia via Druzhba pipeline stopped late Monday, AFP reported with reference to the economy ministry of that country.

The Druzhba pipeline was blocked off Monday, around 8:00 local time, somewhere close to Ukrainian-Slovakian border, said Slovakian Economic Ministry's spokesman Brano Zvara. The deliveries stopped because of the clashes of Russia and Belarus triggered by Russia's introduction of duties on crude export to Belarus.

Czechia doesn't receive Russia's crude either. The authorities decided to remove from strategic storage 52,000 tons to 55,000 tons that are expected to maintain operating pressure in the pipeline during five to seven days, said spokesman of the Industry Ministry of Czechia.

Late Monday, Russia's pipelines monopoly, Transneft, terminated the crude supplies via the northern section of the pipeline in response to the unsanctioned withdrawal of crude by Belarus. Belarus had been withdrawing the crude in settlement of transit duties to be paid by Russia.

Russia announced earlier that, from January 1, 2007, it would impose charges on crude exported to Belarus' refineries for further processing. Belarus rebuffed by imposing duties on crude transit from Russia to Europe from January 3, 2007.

Source:

http://www.kommersant.com/p-9813/r_528/crude_supplies_terminated/