Minsk’s proposal to hike transit tariffs for oil unfounded – Transneft

June 19, BPN. Russia’s oil pipeline operator Transneft has disagreed with a suggested increase in tariffs, arguing in a letter to Gomeltransneft Druzhba that the Belarusian partner has not substantiated it, TASS reports.

Gomeltransneft Druzhba proposed the 84-percent increase in transit tariffs on Russian pipeline oil flowing through Belarus in June.

But Russian Energy Minister Nikolai Shulginov said that the rate will be subject to future negotiations.

Minsk argued that the proposed tariffs were “competitive” and “lower” than those set by Ukrainian and Kazakh oil transport operators.

Transneft said Minsk’s request for the unscheduled tariffs review did not contain financial and accounting reports proving that oil flows in Q1 2023 were unprofitable.

Minsk increased the oil transit rate by nine percent in February.